i don't really see the whining, I stopped flying Y 15-20 years ago if a flight over 6 hours, life is too short. AC adding a proper PE seat ( not joke UA extra 2-3 inches of leg room) is commendable and smart. If price is right J, if not at least PE is decent option.

It's clear 80/20 rule applies, 80% of people won't pay for anything but basic, so AC is giving them what they will pay for.

But it's also clear eupgrades are really going to be tough to use, not a lot of J/PE seats going to empty with that configuration, I for one won't be risking it on an international flight