I've done a lot of searching on the SQ, ANA and this forum, but I can't seem to get a read on this question.

In have a perfect date LAX-NRT in F with UA miles on the outbound (Coming down from SFO on UA). On the return, I can get SQ one day earlier than is ideal, or on the exact date I want, I could get ANA. If I read the threads correctly this would be ANA's "new first class style pod seat" on this route (April, 2006) (routing through LAX on purpose to get the "pod"). This being said, how much better is SQ than ANA? If the difference is significant, I would probably rather cut my trip short a day and take the SQ flight home.

I should add, I am not a Star A. guy - I will be spending almost all my UA miles for this, so this will probably be my only chance to try SQ and/or ANA. Many thanks for any suggestions.