for what it's worth, I think the average person will not notice a reduction in seat pitch and probably doesnt really care (admittedly, tall people will notice more than average height or small people).

I think there are a number of categories for those who travel CE:

- work pays for it: I really don't think that they will stop flying CE / switching airlines as a reduction of seat pitch
- premium leisure, TP collectors, et al: they will continue and are more interested in the lounge / free bubbly on the way to holiday (I was chatting to a couple last night who told me how amazing the priority pass lounge was with free champagne for £20! that was their first and only experience of a lounge and they loved it)
- connecting pax as mentioned upthread and again, I can't see those not flying CE as essentially they are flying with BA for the long-haul product, price or other reasons.

of course, if you phrase a question along the lines of "are you more or less likely to fly in a Business Class that has had its seat pitch reduced from 34 to 31/0 inches", people are going to say less likely.

I personally fall into the TP collector and 'connecting' pax category and whilst admittedly, I like BA and am hooked for BAEC reasons, I shan't be shifting loyalty (though I might still have a good moan about it all if I dont like the seats once I've actually flown them).