Most people shop for airline tickets based on price, and price alone. They’ll complain, especially online, about comfort but the next flight they take they get on Expedia or some site and shop with only one criteria: price. Then they continue to blame airlines for adapting to the way consumers buy.
Airlines run pack people in as tight as they can because we’ve trained them to do it. I like a more comfortable experience and I suck it up and spring for first class, or business class. If more people were willing to pay more for comfort they’d provide it.
When I go out to eat, I have a choice not only between a convenience store hot dog or a $100 steak, but lots of selections in between.
I would go back to flying (have not flown since 2006) if I could pay 25% more than sardine class, and get 25% more comfort.