I'll be booking a 100% paid business class ticket, and I don't have any status on Star Alliance.
Originally, I was thinking of flying from JFK because it is the cheapest station with the 744. But factoring in the flight from SEA to EWR, with the overnight stays, that itinerary will use up more days and use up more money for the car transfers (between EWR and JFK), plus the hotels.
I can drive to YVR but the price flying out of Canada is just crazy.
So, I think will try and fly out from IAH. And the seats are widely available still, it seems.
My follow up question is, how likely would LH be in displacing me from my chosen seat, given that I don't have status, and I am booking through the UA web site, albeit I am a paying passenger (not paying with miles)?
(KE has done this to me twice. I booked KE metal on DL web site with DL flight no.)