E+ is not any better than AA's MRTC. The pitch varies greatly depending on aircraft type, whereas on AA it is standard fleet-wide at 34".

On United, a 757-200 will give you 36" which is two less than F. Flying from down under you won't be traveling in a 757. On the 777 the pitch is between 31 and 33". Hardly anything to "pitch" to customers.

767-300 you get 35". 747-400 is between 34 and 36".

These are all in the E+ section which you will only be seated in if you pay a full Y fare or are an elite member in their FF program. Otherwise, the standard in regular coach on UA is 31-32" inches. If you're an average sized Aussie bloke you'll be real uncomfortable in those seats.

Those were the facts....now here's where I get impartial. AA will give you the same pitch system-wide on every aircraft and you'll get decent service from FA's that aren't pissed off at their company (not that UA's don't have a gripe, but don't take it out on the pax!).

I was a former UA gazillion miler and left them after the service went down the tubes summer of 2000. Couldn't be happier with AA's service. Many of them are still there from the 70's and 80's and give the polished/refined service you used to get back then, albeit with limited resources.

No matter what fare/class you travel in, I think AA wins hands down.