MHK, Sorry to say it but bushbolox is simply saying what the rest of us are thinking so perhaps you should take a step back and listen to what he is saying in his colourful way.
6ft4 in ANY economy seat will be a crunch even on BA. The cheaper you pay for the ticket the less room you are likely to have. Thats pretty much common knowledge. There may or may not be a safety/moral question in there but hey...should people be allowed to have abortions??? Slightly different subject but still the same head banging type of topic!!!!
Now BA dont fly to Chania (never heard of the place myself) but you could have looked at other alternatives such as via Athens or into another airport where you could catch a bus/ferry or whatever. But you paid for Excel because it offered the "convenience" of a direct flight. So there you go, thats what you really paid for...not a seat with 36" seat pitch.
As for the rude crew...shame on them...I hope you have names!