I have had experience dealing with both Bell and Eurocopter. My biggest issue with Eurocopter is support. Or more correctly lack of. Eurocopter expects owners to purchase at least 10% of the helicopter value in spares and they will give you a list of the suggested spares. Eurocopter (EADS) are really oriented toward selling to government organizations. They do not keep an extensive stock of spares and they will not take one off the production line. While normal replacement items are readily available other items can become a long wait time. I worked for one operator that had a starflex fail, it took almost 9 months before they got the replacement. While passengers might be more comfortable in the back of an Astar, they would much rather be in the back of a helicopter that is flying.