If you want the best flights, Singapore Air is tops. Malaysia just introduced a new product that's supposed to compare, but don't know if it operates on these routes. A previous poster mentioned buying the two one-ways, as it is much cheaper to buy the return starting in TPE. Because your two best options are through LAX, try flying UA instead of Song from JFK to LAX. They have new Premium Service, and discount business fares run about $500 each way. So if you combine this with the $2300 or so SQ LAX-TPE, TPE-LAX (buying two one-ways), you should fall in the same price range for the best experience. The caveat, though, I think the SQ flight back to LA doesn't get in until evening which would put you on a redeye back to New York.