EU-based and I almost exclusively fly European carriers (mostly SK and LH) and it's absolutely been a race to the bottom. I remember not even 10 years ago the in-flight experience in Y on LH was far better than any US carrier, not so much now. SK is if anything even worse. I refuse to fly LCCs (the few times I have they were a nightmare) but obviously others are willing to put up with a lot to get that cheap airfare, and the market is giving them what they want I guess.

Also can't help but laugh when anyone complains about the lineup process for United, it's not perfect but it's WAY better than the chaotic scrum I deal with every time I fly a European carrier - no lines or queues whatsoever, just a mad dash to the front. Never made sense to me but that's how it works here.