Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-03 15:43Core Viewpoint - The excessive "seat locking" behavior by airlines is identified as a practice that limits consumer choice and increases passenger costs, which has been highlighted in a recent consumer survey report by the Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Protection Committee [1][3][12]. Group 1: Seat Locking Practices - A survey of 10 major domestic airlines revealed that the proportion of locked seats in economy class ranges from 19.9% to 62.1%, with an average of 38.7% [1][8]. - Airlines typically restrict access to preferred seats (such as those in the front row, window, and aisle) while only offering less desirable seats for free selection, effectively forcing consumers to pay for better options [1][8][12]. - The practice of locking seats is often justified by airlines as necessary for safety and special service needs, but the extent of seat locking suggests it has become a revenue-generating service [3][10]. Group 2: Consumer Rights and Complaints - Many consumers express frustration over the inability to select preferred seats without incurring additional costs, which they believe undermines their rights as ticket holders [4][5]. - The lack of transparency regarding the criteria for seat locking and the absence of clear communication about free selection options violate consumer rights, including the right to know and the right to fair trading [10][12]. - The Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Protection Committee has initiated discussions with the airlines and expects them to address consumer complaints and ensure equal seat selection opportunities for all passengers [3][12]. Group 3: Regulatory Response - The Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Protection Committee has mandated that the airlines submit written rectification plans within 15 working days to address the issues related to seat locking [12]. - Continuous monitoring of the airlines' compliance with the rectification requirements will be conducted by the consumer protection authority [12].