优质座位大量被“锁” 10家航司被调查 揭开乘机选座“潜规则”

Core Viewpoint - The recent practice of airlines locking seats and charging for seat selection has sparked widespread consumer dissatisfaction, with many feeling that their rights to choose seats are being unfairly restricted [1][19]. Group 1: Consumer Feedback - Many consumers, like Ms. Zhang, have experienced locked seats and expressed frustration over the additional costs required to select preferred seats, which they believe should be included with the purchase of an economy class ticket [3][19]. - The investigation revealed that consumers are often required to use points or pay extra fees to unlock desirable seats, which they feel is an unfair practice [11][13]. Group 2: Investigation Findings - The Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Protection Committee conducted an investigation into 10 domestic airlines, finding that all had locked seats in economy class, with the locking rate ranging from 19.9% to 62.1%, averaging 38.7% [4][5]. - The investigation highlighted that the locked seats are primarily located in the front rows and preferred window or aisle positions, limiting consumer choices to less desirable seats [9][11]. Group 3: Airline Justifications - Airlines have provided various justifications for locking seats, such as reserving them for special passengers or maintaining flight balance, but these reasons have been contradicted by the investigation results showing high locking rates [15][16]. - The lack of a unified standard for seat locking across airlines has led to significant discrepancies in how and why seats are locked [16]. Group 4: Legal and Regulatory Concerns - The practice of locking seats has been deemed to infringe upon multiple consumer rights, including the right to know, the right to choose, and the right to fair trade [19][22]. - Experts have pointed out that airlines' failure to clearly communicate seat selection policies and locking criteria violates consumer protection laws [20][22]. Group 5: Regulatory Actions - The Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Protection Committee has called for the 10 airlines to rectify their practices, specifically addressing the excessive locking of seats and the imposition of fees for seat selection [23][24]. - Airlines are required to ensure transparency in their policies, provide equal selection opportunities for all passengers, and respect consumer rights [27][29].