The cost issue is on several fronts, so the argument goes.
1) The seats have to be stronger and higher to absorbe the impact of the back and head of the occupant.
2) It was argued by at least one airline, that the cost of turning all the in flight entertainment monitors/screens around would be prohibative, and with the higher seats needed, the SLF would not get a good view of the screen. Now no longer a factor of course with seat back displays.
I used rear facing seats for over 10 years, and even on take off never found them a problem. As to being hit in the face by duty free, carry on luggage and cabin debris is another vital, but over looked safety issue. How many people have you seen been injured by some muppet of a SLF dropping heavy and large items from the overhead lockers? In many accidents, people have survived the impact, only to be killed by the overloaded overhead lockers falling on them. The video footage on the interior of the Kegworth B737 is an excelent illistration of this. Why allow glass bottles in the cabin, and not provide an order and collect service? Simple, proffit for the airlines!
Safety only matters if it does not get in the way of proffit!
