I have searched the forums but don't see any recent member experience, has anyone flown this route recently?

I flew Y class last year, booked through AC website. A week later I noticed no seat assigned, I first phoned BR for seat assignment and they said that I had to go through AC as BR didn't have access to my reservation. I did phone AC and was put in row 52 (despite it being months before the flight and having AC*E) as AC only had access to a few rows of seats in the back regardless of how full the plane is.

I don't think my bags come out fast as they didn't recognize *A priority bags, but did give me priority check in and boarding (which didn't mean much to me).

Anyone had better/recent experience?