I'm pretty tall and I've never had any issues flying economy. I wouldn't call it comfortable but I can still stuff a bag under the next seat and reach it later.
I find it to be quite difficult to reach a bag stowed under the seat in front of me without shoving my face in the lap of the person sitting next to me.
A CEO doesn't have to sit in coach. Less affluent folk cannot afford to sit in 1st class.
The way to complain about this service, is to not use the service.
Flying is not strictly necessary to live but is deeply ingrained into the "standard" lifestyle in the same way as, say, the internet or industrialized food products. In my opinion, such society-critical goods and services need to be legislated because it is nearly impossible to organize an effective mass boycott of them.