Yes, it's dreadful, isn't it?
We're not smug. Our self-satisfaction is quite understandable given the good we do for the planet. If they choose to see smugness in the way we flaunt it, that's their problem. They just wish they were us. Is that smug?
Arrogant? I hardly think so! We are Gods of the tarmac ribbon and must live with the import that comes with our superlative abilities. I do not see that as arrogant. A certain loftiness of nature may be apparent in those of us who have these abilities, but that just goes with the territory.
Holier-than-thou? As I was saying to my old pal The Pope last week, people are always bringing this up. It's not a cross I feel we should have to bear.
Perfect? Close to it, perhaps, but not quite there yet.
You're right, OP. It is wearying that these lower life forms, these smug, arrogant, holier-than-thou journalists and motons point the finger at us. Typical, but wearying.