The problem is space, reclining chairs will probably take up more space and need maintenance, not to mention the cost per chair and how to justify it. Airports and Airlines want to make the process of boarding more streamlined...investing in chairs that comfort the wait due to delays are a waste to them and a problem that needs fixing prior to the delay. Sure you have the elements to deal with, bad weather etc. which we all accept. The funny side of this post is that we all forget about when we eventually board the plane and it takes 1 hour to get to the runway to take off. Then 8 hours stuck in a chair that is less friendly than the one this post is complaining about. ;-)

I get that facilities are to a great extent an externality to the airlines, but don't they compete and pay for airport gates? Can't facilities grants be factored into the bidding process?

I would think the gates are not airline specific due to flexibility for when things go wrong such as aircraft docking requirements not working. Currently they simply change the gate. Therefore this "Comfortability" issue would need to be a Airport expenditure and would have to be rolled out across the entire airport. Not sure all airports will want their landing rates increased for this reason as not all are on the same rates or sizes / no gates etc. The other problem is the more comfortable the waiting area chairs are the more uncomfortable the aircraft will feel when they eventually board.

If I understand correctly, the gates are very much airline-specific.

Airport chairs are designed so that you don't fall asleep, reclining chairs would defeat the purpose.

Despite the fact that (a) people often do sleep on them, mostly by taking up 3-4 adjoining seats, and (b) sleeping in airports is a common and reasonable goal.

Reasonable goals for the passengers don't necessarily coincide with the goals of those running the airports. I think it's reasonable for me not to be treated like a potential terrorist every time I fly, but I can understand why the airports feel they have to do that.

Those running the airports could see to it that there isn't a reason to fall asleep or need sleep in airports, rather than making it difficult to do so.

Easier said than done. Rampant delays surely don't help airports or airlines either -- I'm sure they're doing what they can on that front as well.

Good point, but we need to find a better solution than having everybody putting bags on empty seats.