If you compare the market and the conditions to 10 years ago there are some big differences. We now have the big 3 (AA, DL & UA) The Medium 3 (AS, B6 & WN) and the LCC-regionalish few (G4, F9, NK...) compared to AA, CO, DL, UA & US with AS, B6, VX & WN. AS merged with VX and WN took over FL. F9 was in its infancy and regional competition was up. As the market gets consolidated the ability for individual companies making changes that lead to large whole market changes becomes more evident and have a fuller impact. Charging for bags, the BE movement, removal of meals started with one airline and the larger airlines saw it as a way to cut costs as they tend to have more legacy costs whereas the medium market companies like B6 used things like Direct TV & free wifi as a way to standout instead of generate revenue. I don't mind paying for flexibility in tickets and perks as wifi is not a "right" nor a need really but rather a want for most people but cramming people into smaller spaces to generate revenue via more seat sales or having a low class/economy minus default that few people would willingly sit in is a potential problem as airlines continue looking for revenue streams. A minimum standard of comfort could/work makes sure airlines don't go too far which could cause an average person difficulty to generate revenue by selling more economy plus style seats.