线上购机票频现座位被“锁定” 新标准将规范航班预留座位行为

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of the draft standard for seat reservation rules by the China Air Transport Association aims to regulate the practice of seat locking by airlines, addressing consumer concerns regarding seat selection and enhancing transparency in the airline industry [1][2]. Group 1: Issues with Current Practices - Many passengers have reported that certain seats are locked during online booking, particularly desirable seats in the economy class, leading to limited free selection options [1][2]. - A report from the Jiangsu Consumer Protection Committee highlighted four main issues: the prevalence of seat locking, excessive locking of quality seats, opaque unlocking mechanisms that effectively charge fees, and unfair contract terms that infringe on consumer rights [2][4]. Group 2: Proposed Standards and Regulations - The draft standard specifies that for domestic flights, free seat selection must be at least 70% of the total economy class seats for flights with 160 seats or fewer, and up to 80% for larger aircraft [2][3]. - The standard also mandates that airlines must clearly inform passengers about the types of reserved seats, the release timing of these seats, and the criteria for free and paid seat selection [4]. Group 3: Industry Perspectives - Industry experts believe that the draft standard will better protect passenger rights and improve the market mechanism within civil aviation services [3][4]. - The standard encourages airlines to enhance service quality while allowing for a certain proportion of paid seat selection, thus balancing consumer needs with airline operational requirements [3][4]. Group 4: Consumer Rights and Transparency - The draft emphasizes the importance of transparency in the airline industry, shifting from "black box" competition to clearer options for consumers [2][4]. - It is noted that the selection service is considered an ancillary service rather than a basic transportation service, reflecting the need for diverse and personalized offerings in air travel [4][5].