[aphistic]

I'd pay $1000 for a domestic flight with leg room and a slightly wider seat. I flew first class out to San Diego recently and I would have done it on the way home as well but they wanted $2500 more for the same flight the other direction. That's just ridiculous. Flights in the past were never that expensive for the same comfort.

[xeromal]

They were much higher man. Pick a year/decade and I'll show you how much higher they were. Flying was for the wealthy in the 60s - 70s. Don't forget inflation. After deregulation, prices dropped by 50% or so.

Most airlines do have a Comfort+ that is pretty affordable and allows you more room and a better seat.

[selectodude]

Full fare Y tickets from LAX-JFK are $2819 return. That’s how much the tickets were pre-deregulation.

[alistairSH]

Dulles to O'hare (return fight) is ~$250-$300 economy. Business class is $600-$700. (both found using Google Flights)

So, you can already do what you want (get leg room and comfort for $1000 or less).