Originally Posted by
deep_south
The evidence speaks for itself. About 10 (or 15?) years ago, American Airlines introduced "more room in coach"; removed some rows in Y and gave everyone in Y more leg room. I used them and it was significantly more comfortable than BA, etc.
However, this did increase their costs, and they didn't get an real improvements in their load factors, so after a couple of years they went back to "normal". So the evidence is clear; many Y passengers are driven primarily by the price of the ticket, and airlines are pretty much all minimising costs while maximising revenue.
There are many who recall American's More Room Throughout Coach (MRTC) for a few years in the early 2000s. It was a significant discussion point among us passengers seated in the aircraft, all of whom appreciated it, and for a number it was a key reason to have chosen AA.
As I recall it reported, there was a significant political fight inside AA headquarters between the "for" and the "against" factions about it, each side presenting selected facts. There is a strong drive to "minimalism" in US airline management (apart from top executive salaries); less legroom, less catering; never free drinks in coach; less extras for premium fare passengers, etc. This was just part of that.