For an introvert, definitely it's freedom.
Loneliness is being with people who don’t get you, don’t see you, don’t hear you. Solitude is far better.
So, are you sitting at a table by yourself or with other people? I agree, if one is alone, s/he decides, but if other people are there, then it's not necessarily up to one.
Rewrite: One decides for oneself whether that's loneliness or freedom.