Which ARN-HEL flight to choose
Trip is ARN-HEL-SFO in July. There are two possible flights for the first leg, both similar times. AY808 departs 12:55, arrives 14:55, on an ERJ-190. AY804 departs 13:15 and arrives 15:10, on an A321. Both flights would be in business class, no difference in fare. The first flight would allow a 1:25 connection, the second a 1:10 connection.
I'm curious why two short-haul flights operate so closely to each other and whether I should choose one over the other based on seat comfort, reliability, connection time, or catering.