The Embraer is certainly a step up from the Jetstream, but in terms comfort, there's not much to choose between a 145 and a Saab, and whilst the 145 goes a bit higher, and flies a but faster above FL100, the difference isn't that great.
Time will tell whether bmir can attract enough pax at the prices they are charging to make the route sustainable long term with the frequency they have introduced.
Why would Eastern need to go head to head on a direct route?