航空公司“锁定座位”再引热议，律师评“有变相抬价嫌疑”

Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding "mileage redemption for seat selection" and "paid seat selection" has resurfaced as several domestic airlines require passengers to pay additional fees or use mileage points to unlock certain seats, leading to public outcry and discussions about transparency and consumer rights [1][4][5]. Group 1: Airline Practices - Many domestic airlines have implemented a system where certain seats are locked and require additional payment or mileage redemption to select [1][4]. - Passengers have reported that a significant number of seats are locked, with some requiring over 200 yuan to unlock, while others are only available for free close to the flight departure time if not selected [2][3]. - The pricing for seat selection varies by seat type and flight duration, with some premium seats costing up to 1000 yuan for long-haul flights [3]. Group 2: Consumer Reactions - Passengers express frustration over the additional fees for seat selection after already paying for tickets, with concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the proportion of locked seats [4][5]. - Some passengers have noted that they were unable to select seats next to their companions due to the locked seat policy, raising concerns about family travel [4]. Group 3: Legal and Regulatory Perspectives - The China Consumer Association has criticized the practice of paid seat selection, arguing that it infringes on consumer rights and should not become a standard industry practice [5][6]. - Legal experts suggest that airlines may be engaging in price manipulation, as consumers are often unaware of the locked seat policies until after purchasing tickets, which could violate consumer protection laws [6][7]. - The application of format clauses by airlines may also be scrutinized, as they could unfairly limit consumer rights and responsibilities [7].