Wow. First of all, this is not the AIRLINES doing - this idea is from the manufacturer. Second, it is anti-free market and anti- supply and demand for you to be cynical about the bottom line of the airline. So tell me, do you want to fly on an airline that's about to be bankrupt? Or would you prefer to fly on one that is very solvent? For conservatives, bottom line is not supposed to be a bad word.
Actually, IMHO, it's very basic in a free market system that both the industry and the consumers assume the other is trying to get the best deal for themselves. So being a cynical consumer is important in holding industry accountable. That's why competition is so important, and why the free market system doesn't work well when there are monopolies.
I want the airlines to do well, and agree with you entirely that we all want to fly on airlines that are solvent, and doing well. That said, if the airlines can get away having people essentially stand for their entire flight they will (something close to this has been put forth by one of the economy European airlines). As a consumer, it's my right to fight back against this, criticizing and avoiding airlines that give the impression of not caring about passenger comfort. That's my part of the free market.