About six or seven years ago I flew steerage on an Embraer E190.
On my recent trip to Seattle I flew steerage on n Airbus A321.
The seats that I flew in were only about six, maybe seven, seats apart although on opposite sides of the isle.
I recall the Embraer E190 seat as being narrower then the recent seat on the A321.
I also liked the interior of the A321, although I can't really say why.
So what was the most notable difference? The interior noise of the A321!
Seriously, I wish that I had brought ear plugs!
The best way that I can describe it, is that it's like being in a tin can in a hurricane wind tunnel. Well.... Maybe it wasn't that nice.
I suspect that the interior of an A321 could defeat the best Bose noise canceling headphones ever made.
Perhaps up in officer territory it's quieter. I suppose that it has to be.
I'll certainly avoid the A321 in the future, and will look unkindly on any Airbus is that line.