Truth be told, I was sitting next to my sister and my mother the whole time I was on the plane. There were no strangers next to me, I wasn't interrupted by anyone and half the time I didn't even notice the people around me. I just reclined back and feel asleep while they had the in-flight movie playing.
I assume you flew by yourself? Perhaps that's why your experience was different from mine. I didn't feel cramped because I was already used to the people with me. And everyone else was in front, back, to the right, etc.
However, if I recall, a couple of times the guy behind me kicked the back of my seat for some reason. That's the only time I had any real discomfort.
As for the airport, yeah, the waiting can be hell.
I've flown a lot of times. By myself, with friends, with family, etc. Regardless of who I'm with, the majority of the time the seats pack you in like you're on a bus. With train travel, the seats are much bigger, I don't have to deal with airport hassle, I don't have to turn off my electronics when taking off or landing, and they even have power adapters next to your seats so you can charge you stuff.
If airports weren't that big of a hassle, I'd prefer flying. What I really really REALLY want this country to have is a high speed rail system, like most other industrial countries do. The fact that we don't is a goddamn crime.