从普遍锁到规范留 航司付费选座拟推新规

Core Viewpoint - The China Air Transport Association is developing a group standard for flight seat reservation rules to regulate the types, scope, and proportion of reserved seats, addressing consumer complaints about limited choices and lack of transparency in seat selection [1][3]. Group 1: Regulation of Seat Reservation - The new standard aims to guide airlines in standardizing seat reservation practices to better meet diverse passenger needs [3]. - A survey by the Jiangsu Consumer Council revealed that all ten major airlines investigated had seat locking practices, with no airline fully opening all economy class seats [3][4]. - The proportion of locked seats varies significantly, with some routes showing over 60% of economy seats locked, particularly in preferred areas [4]. Group 2: Consumer Rights and Transparency - The Jiangsu Consumer Council identified four main issues with seat locking: widespread locking behavior, excessive locking of quality seats, opaque information, and unfair contractual terms [4]. - Consumers expressed a willingness to pay for seat selection but demanded clear and reasonable locking standards [9][10]. Group 3: Airline Revenue Strategies - Airlines are increasingly relying on ancillary revenue from seat selection fees due to pressure from declining ticket prices and operational challenges [7]. - The global ancillary revenue for airlines is projected to reach $148.4 billion in 2024, indicating a growing trend in this revenue stream [8]. Group 4: Recommendations for Fair Practices - Industry experts suggest a model where at least 70% of seats are available for free selection, with 30% reserved for paid options, ensuring fairness for early and late bookers [10][11]. - Airlines are encouraged to adopt transparent pricing and clear rules for seat selection to enhance consumer trust and satisfaction [10][11].