Just to contrast to AA...

DUB's queue has been a mess all year. I don't believe that's either AA or EI's fault.

Isn't the 51st & Green lounge shared by all post-preclearance flights, including AA as well as EI?

AA PDBs are *very* hit and miss domestically. Internationally, even on what's supposed to be a flagship route like SYD-LAX, I've seen them hand out a tray with water, orange juice, and (middling) champagne as opposed to taking actual drink orders. YMMV, of course.

AA food is famously, remarkably bad, even in J.

Service is very inconsistent on AA in J internationally, as is the case for most airlines. I've flown JFK-LHR flights where I wanted to start a company and hire the FAs because they were so wonderful. I just flew SYD-LAX with a purser who wanted to be anywhere else on the planet earth or to at least make it through the flight by saying as few words as possible by repeating the same phrase to every person she had to talk to. "Pajamas? Pajamas?" "Dessert? Dessert? Dessert?"

I prefer the AA seat to EI's, and not having access to the aisle in 2023 is brutal. Having flown PHL-DUB last year and flying AA across the pond pretty often, I think AA is better, but I don't believe the difference isn't as stark as it might seem.