Core Viewpoint - The China Air Transport Association has introduced a draft standard for flight seat reservation rules to enhance the transparency and variety of seat selection for passengers, with a one-month public consultation period [1] Group 1: Draft Standard Overview - The draft standard covers domestic, international, and regional flights, systematically regulating the types, scope, proportion, and information disclosure of economy class seat reservations [1] - Airlines are required to categorize economy class seats into "free selectable seats" and "reserved seats" [1] Group 2: Seat Reservation Guidelines - The draft specifies that reserved seats must be released in a timely manner to avoid last-minute availability [1] - Airlines must clearly inform passengers about the range of free and reserved seats, redemption standards for points/miles, and paid seat selection prices (limited to international and regional flights) during online booking and check-in [1] - Seat maps must use clear icons to distinguish between categories such as "free selectable," "member selectable," "not selectable online," and "selected seats" to prevent ambiguity and misleading information [1] Group 3: Reservation Proportions - Operationally necessary reserved seats must be based on safety and service requirements, including seats for safety personnel, emergency exit restrictions, and special passengers (e.g., wheelchair users, stretchers, unaccompanied minors) [2] - Value-added reserved seats are divided into entitlement-based (points/miles redemption) and paid reservations (limited to international and regional flights), with a clear prohibition on cash seat selection for domestic flights [2] - The minimum proportion of free selectable seats must be 70% for domestic flights and no less than 65% for international and regional flights [2]

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].