As a pax, I'd rather be on a 744 on three than a big twin on one, if land is any distance away. I wouldn't enjoy either experience, but pragmatism kicks in.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the matter and depsite my lack of understanding of the technical aspects, I'm actually representative of the people who keep the airlines in business by buying the tickets.
So if I have a choice of 744 or someone else on a big twin, I'll take the 74 anyday and frankly I don't give a monkey's what jondc or 600,000 US ATPLs think (if infact they all agree with jon.)
You are welcome to tell me that I don't understand what I am talking about, but in return I will tell you that I understand very well where I spend 6 figures a year on air tickets.
As an aside, I am not surprised that the WSJ produced a balanced article.
I know a couple of their journalists and they are thorough, careful and non sensationalist in outlook.