I prefer BR over AC. It starts with checkin. Fuly staffed desks and agents that are both polite and efficient. The lines move quickly. At one time, I was on a BR longhaul every quarter and fell in love with the carrier compared to AC. Unfortunately, that love affair is over.

I am a Gold Card on BR and just lost my Elite status on AC since I started using other carriers on my long haul flights. BR is much better than AC for cabin comfort, boarding, FAs, and sometimes food. EVA has much better wine than AC with its selection of nasty swill. The B777 lavs are the same, except that BR FAs will clean them during the flight.

Brace yourself for fare increases on EVA. The excuse will be the upgrade to Royal Laurel on its equipment, but BR was much less expensive than AC since it started its YYZ-TPE route. My gut feeling is that with the admission to Star Alliance, BR will change terminals in YYZ so that connections to AC feeder routes will be easier. (So long WJ). When that happens fares will increase. As it is AC connections from BR really impact the cost of a ticket.