I think one of the factors aside from generous seat pitch that made things seem better back then was that flights were often not very full. Not the case today
Also some aircraft-DC9 MD80s were relaly nice if you got a seat in front of the wing (about 75% of them) on the two seat side , . 767 economy /economy plus if you had a window pair was very nice.
The 787 is , at elast in BA config horrible. The 380- easily the best although I haven't tried the 350 yet