I'm sure the consensus will be fly direct, but if you're more than 5ft4 I'd fly the A380. Also, especially as a US flyer it will be increasingly more difficult to fly in future.

Along with the 747 it's the only plane that I remember being blown away walking onto the the first time and now actively seek out (mainly as I tend to fly East so lots of opportunity). It's a while since I flew BA Y on one as they don't operate to Singapore anymore, but the little upstairs Y section was just lovely.