In article , Ken Blake
wrote:


Airlines are to squarely to blame for cramped seating.

I have mixed feelings about that. Yes, the airlines could have bigger
seats. But if they did, they would be able to carry fewer people on a
flight and they would therefore raise the cost of the seats.

american airlines tried that a decade ago (mrtc) and what they learned
was that it wasn't a competitive advantage so they removed it.

they recently brought it back for a portion of economy and now sell
those seats at a slight premium rather than offer it to everyone for
free, as do other airlines.

In fact, they do have bigger seats which are an option for all of us.
It's called Business Class or First Class.

as well as premium economy and also the exit rows.

As much as I would like to
always fly that way, its price is such that I seldom do.

very few people pay for f/j. they upgrade, sometimes via complimentary
upgrades.