Pax,
Funnily enough, it's something as daft as the washbag that pushes people away. Not because it is important but because it provides such a wonderful metaphor to the overall service.
As you ask, the sectors I fly regularly are Miami, Tokyo, Boston and Philly so, no real problem there. I agree the alternatives to my other two destinations, New Delhi and Moscow are a little limited. Maybe I have to swallow my outrage for those...