Interesting article
here - "calculated misery".
We're paying more for a lesser service, and airlines are intent on making us pay more.
Would you happily pay extra when going out to dine to ensure that all your party are at the same table?
So airlines make the basic product unappealing so that you feel obliged to pay the extras. I've been travelling on Air Canada for some years, 15 years ago, we were allowed pre-assigned seats and two pieces of luggage each weighing 32kg. Then the weight dropped to 24kg, and now it's just one piece, with the second piece costing £60.
Now Air Canada started to charge for pre-assigned seats CA$30 or from £18 (that's per seat, so if you have a connection, then it's per leg - and soon adds up).
I guess the next will be to charge a fee for paying on credit cards (British Airways already do), maybe charging for alcoholic drinks on board (United and American Airlines have for some years), cut back on food (British Airways cut out the second snack on 6-8 hour flights in the lower class fares).