The ever-shrinking airline seat is but one example of the financial pressure placed on corporate executives that work for a company with publicly traded stock. There are many other examples of a similar nature outside the airline industry.
Once a company starts trading stock publicly, their mind set is singularly focused on making money. The executives at the airlines have a fiduciary responsibility to fill airliners with as many people as possible. This is not as bad as it can get. We will reach a point where all airline passengers will be standing up, and the airlines will be able to confidently tell the FAA that passengers can evacuate faster when they are already on their feet.
I don’t like saying it, but I think the first commenter has it right. This will only change due to an FAA mandate giving the passengers more room. (And no, that commenter’s opinion is NOT unique). Yes, such a mandate will increase ticket prices. No, I don’t like. Yes, I can live with it. Yes I will fly my own plane more, and drive more. Yes, I will probably travel less, and closer to home. And yes, I will probably blame the government for the higher airline ticket prices, but that is an opinion I will keep to myself since I will be enjoying the extra leg room while smiling on the inside. Those are tradeoffs this reader is willing to accept.