Understand your perspective, but I think you are drawing a distinction without a difference between hard and soft product.
There is a difference. UA's E+ hard product is vastly superior to CO Y. Full stop. Is IFE nicer on many CO domestic aircraft, sure, but, like food, is something you can take care of on your own. You can't take care of miserable seat pitch.
CO may have the most professional men and women in the industry, but UA's will give you a full can of soda without you having to beg for it. I realize they're just looking after their CO-workers bottom line.