Need your input, oh gurus of flight.
The Sunday before Thanksgiving we fly from CT to CA for an overnight before a vacation flight to Tahiti and Taha'a, then a cruise.

Have to leave Sunday after 3 pm (grandson christening day), and have to get our flight to PPT next day (which is why we decided to switch from USAir, too much uncertainty). It's November, so weather can be a factor (we don't want to go via Chicago).
Our best options seem to be:
- United via IAD
- Continental via Houston
- Delta via Cinci
- AA via Dallas
Primary objective is a reliable, comfortable, pleasant flight (hope I'm not dreaming here...

) that will be a good start to a wonderful vacation. No miles involved, tho' we are new Delta collectors. Oh, and we'll be in the cheap seats. Food not an issue as long as there is time to eat or buy during layover.
Thanks in advance for your input -- we're very excited about this trip, and appreciate all the advice we've been finding here as we made plans... So what would y'all advise?