Booking a bulkhead seat or exit row is not always doable since there are only so many per plane and this only takes care of a couple rows. With regard to Business and First Class, if you’re paying that extra price for the tickets in the first place, reclining seats can easily be one of the included parks.

This is another classic case of a mess created by the airlines (for additional revenue of which they collect a bundle....) being foisted on the traveler. It’s right up there with travelers trying to fly with near steamer trunk sized bags as their carry-ons because of the airline imposing shipped bag fees and failing to force travelers to comply with the sizers that every boarding gate has, along with not making everyone comply with the number of carry-on items.

Don’t get me wrong - I don’t like any of these rules but if they make them, ENFORCE THEM and that way everyone knows where they stand. They know they won’t get away with their non-compliance so probably won’t try but once.

There once was a time when traveling - specifically the act of getting somewhere - was fun but sadly, not so much today.
It is what it is but there are ways to make it better.