Virgin Australia 737-700

Virgin's shorter-range domestic 737 — Business in a two-by-two, Economy three-and-three — on the lower-demand routes where the -800's size isn't needed. The shorter fuselage means a more compact cabin and fewer rows; Economy matches the -800's pitch and product, and the smaller jet boards and clears faster, a real plus on short sectors.

Business up front is served first and off first. In Economy the window exit rows pair extra legroom with a view, and the rows behind Business get the forward galley and lavatories. The short cabin means even the back doesn't wait as long to deplane as on the -800.

The last rows sit by the rear lavatory — door noise, queues alongside, limited recline on the very back row — and engine noise grows through the rear third; middle seats are uncomfortable past 90 minutes. The rear penalty is milder than on a bigger 737, but the front half is still the better bet.