It's been ages since I've logged into FT and was suprrised my account still works!

It's been at least 3.5+ years (before pandemic) since I've flown UA or ANA to Asia, specifically SIN but this time, I am looking to make a quick trip back to KUL to visit family around November. In the past, being my home base is IAD, I'd take ANA or UA from IAD-NRT-SIN (we have family right across the Causeway in southern Malaysia - Johor) or even UA from IAD-SFO-SIN (on UA 1) but this time, ANA pricing is beyond my budget.

I am looking at the possible itinerary of IAD-EWR, and then EWR-NRT on UA 79, and then ANA from NRT-KUL.

I've never flown out of EWR before. How is the service of UA 79 from EWR to NRT? Is it comparable or typical of any UA product from say, US stateside to NRT? I've flown UA 1 from SFO-SIN, or UA from IAD-SIN and it was fine for what it is.

The return would be KUL-NRT on ANA, and then UA 149 from NRT-DEN, and NRT-IAD. Or better to pick NRT-EWR back, and then EWR-IAD?

I'm just a lowly Silver.