I think it had to be accepted due to the falling fares. The total amount payable for an economy class seat (as in number of Pounds) in economy class for my main routes remained the same or dropped compared to 20 years ago despite inflation and even APD. That must represent a serious drop in the actual takings for the airline. The premium class seats have also dropped in fares.

While there is no excuse for not providing services that protects the dignity of the vulnerable passengers, we can hardly expect great services when we are paying less and less. Yet many of us are demanding more and more even in economy class.

In many ways I believe the likes of Ryanair have done a great service and great disservice. They have turned air transport into mass transport, and by that, they made air transport accessible to practically everyone, and that's a great service to some people who found air transport inaccessible, but they have brought it down to the level of bus service and forced other airlines to cut fares to the extent that they too can only provide the bus service level of service in non-premium cabins. That's a great disservice to those who want some level of premium service left in economy class.

You can hardly provide a 'glamour service' when you are making £10 per seat if that. Any attempt to do so will soon erode what profit is left in it.