indeed
fares going via DUB with EI sees hardly no different but EI gives you free luggage, a hot meal and free seat selection plus you can clear US imm & customs at DUB too
my pals just booked with Primera BHX-EWR then got canx -- and now booked on EI to JFK via DUB and will earn a shed load of avios for same price and walk off the plane at JFK PDQ as a local