I don't like the coffin feel of the AC J seat, and I like the adjustable headrests of the UA and CO seats. If you can get D/E seats on the sCO 777 or D seats on the 764, you won't have anyone climbing over you, which is never a problem on the AC seat. I also like looking out the windows, which is difficult in the AC seat.
BusinessFirst has better catering than AC, IMO, and I prefer the UACO AVOD product to the AC offering, but that's just a matter of personal preference and taste. Both are extremely comparable, almost interchangeable.
Where AC blows UA and CO out of the water is in the lounges. The international MLL at YYZ is one of the best lounges in North America and well worth a visit. The YUL and YVR lounges are quite good as well.
So, in my experience:
Seats:
1a. sCO 777 D/E and bulkhead flat BF seats
1b. AC herringbone suite
2. 'normal' sCO flat BF seats
3. UA flat Business seats
4. UA recliner Business seats
5. sCO recliner BF
Catering:
1. sCO BF
2. AC
3. UA
IFE:
1. AVOD, push
99. UACO looped video
Lounge:
1. AC
Nothing else matters
Aircraft:
1. AC (77L/77W/A330 are awesome/new, refitted 767s good as well)
2. UA
Crews:
YMMV
Fire away!
