You know, I had a relatively recent choice to make vaguely along these lines a few years ago, and went with "Pan Am". What I mean is that my wife and I were fortunate enough to be able to choose between 747 LH old F (which was the LH standard, though it's now being replaced) and 747 UA new F on SFO-FRA-SFO. LH old F was 2x2 upstairs with barco-lounger type seats that IIRC were comfortable nearly lie-flat cradle-type seats and UA were fully lie flat suites. LH IFE also far inferior to UA at that point. But we went with LH and ended up glad we did because the service and food were so much better. (The great LH F Terminal in FRA also was admittedly part of the equation.)

I agree with many that the modern trappings of F travel are preferable, certainly when traveling alone. But at least for that particular trip it was nice to go with the better, even elegant soft product elements that LH offered.