Originally Posted by
jlivengo
The difference here is that airlines have generally been exempt from antitrust laws base on the various alliance programs. These programs, such as star alliance, actually violate antitrust laws. Now that we're heading to 3 major carriers, the airlines are more capable of manipulating both the supply and demand by adjusting route's, frequency, aircraft, and seating. This article looks at creating more demand for E+ style seating.
If they were interested in only protecting elites like some others have suggested, they would be blocking E+ seats instead of E-.
And you can go into other threads about families getting split up as no seats together. I can see blocking E- seats so have some chance of putting families together at the gate. And I see nowhere that you are required to get a seat assignment when you book. You can always leave it out and get it assigned at the gate. Some people just seem to assume they have to pay to get a seat assigned. I see no manipulation doing that.