What's proper taxi selection protocol in the following situation?

Our group of two couples were leaving our hotel in Barcelona at 3:30am to catch an early flight. There were a handful of taxis parked beside our hotels with drivers in them waiting. The first car in line was pretty small but likely can stuff us in for a relatively uncomfortable ride to the airport. The second taxi was slightly larger and correspondingly more comfortable ride.

We took jumped in the first taxi and while the ride wasn't the most comfortable having to bring some of our backpacks with us to our seats instead of squishing them in the trunk.

How obligated were we to take the first taxi over the second one? Or is it just a free for all because of our space requirements?

Comfort, cleanliness, safety (lack of serious damage), appearance of the driver, smells, etc. all trump order of waiting taxis. IMO.

Take the first taxi unless you can't fit.

Take the second taxi if it's really that big of a deal. If asked, say it's because the first is too small.

I would say take the first taxi that is acceptable to you, based on whatever your needs are.

The protocol issue is more among taxi drivers. If the second taxi was trying to cut the line or solicit your business, that would be an issue for other drivers (but not really your concern).

My protocol - I will take the taxi which I want. Anyone objecting can take a hike and jump into lake.

As a simple example - at some airports there are 'premium' taxis which charge double or more for ride. Several times when I ended up facing that selection I simple went to the next taxi in line.

I've certainly jumped 3-4 taxis back in China. I'm not so keen on those 80s style Jettas that are so popular. I'll go to the guy with a bigger or more modern styled car. (Yes I know, some of those Jettas are brand new but they were designed a VERY long time ago)

In Sweden you should check the price advertised on the side window and take one that doesn't try to rip you off. The comparison price (for a type journey of 10 km taking 15 minutes) is mandatory by law and a reasonable one is not above 400 SEK.

As the paying customer, when presented with the opportunity to choose I'm going to take whichever cab I want. Doesn't matter to me which driver pulled up first or second.

That's one of those moments in which you look sternly at the first taxi's driver and in gravid tones proclaim the famous maxim: "No huey Jose!"

This is Barcelona and at an ungodly hour of the morning.

How reliable are taxis there in terms of fairness in pricing? In some cities - Athens comes to mind - we were advised to book a specific cab through the hotel concierge, who gave us the price it should cost and the taxi number to look for (this was the evening before), and we were told to pay nothing else and to be sure to take the taxi that had been booked. Worked perfectly.

My criteria are: size to fit my bags and then working credit card machine.

I had an instance in Melbourne last year where I grabbed the first taxi I saw then became aware there was a rank.

The drivers started arguing then my driver jumped out and confronted the others.

I wasn't about to add to the street theatre by getting out and trying to remove my bags but I shouted at him to get back in the car, which he eventually did and we went on to the airport in simmering silence.

The real question here is about 3:30 am and why on earth you went to bed in Barcelona so as to get up at perhaps 3am, while the night is still young. Save the money on the hotel, spend it in a bar or two and have fun!

Bleah. No bar in Spain will make me feel as good as getting even a half night of sleep.

Selection is easy. Open Uber app on my phone, request black car, avoid riding in vomit splattered taxi that smells like rancid lunchmeat.