Core Viewpoint - The Jiangsu Consumer Protection Committee has released a report indicating that domestic airlines are locking a large number of seats for online check-in and promoting paid seat selection services, which allegedly infringes on consumers' rights to fair trade and autonomy [1][3]. Group 1: Technical Aspects of Seat Locking - Airlines lock seats for various reasons, including ensuring the balance of the aircraft, as the center of gravity must be maintained within a certain range for safety and efficiency [3][5]. - The locking of seats, particularly in preferred areas such as the front rows and emergency exit rows, is a common practice among airlines to control passenger distribution and maintain aircraft stability [4][5]. - For example, in a Boeing 737-800 with an economy layout, airlines may lock the first four and last three rows to prevent an imbalance in passenger seating [5][7]. Group 2: Marketing Aspects of Paid Seat Selection - Since 2023, the overall ticket prices in China's civil aviation have been declining, while airlines are under pressure to return to profitability after significant losses during the pandemic, leading to the introduction of paid services like seat selection [12][21]. - The practice of charging for seat selection is seen as a market-driven approach to enhance revenue, as airlines lower ticket prices but seek to compensate through ancillary services [12][21]. - In contrast to domestic airlines, U.S. airlines have a more transparent pricing model for seat selection, where specific seat types are clearly priced, allowing consumers to make informed choices [13][15]. Group 3: Public Service Attributes of Airlines - The Jiangsu Consumer Protection Committee argues that airlines have a public service obligation to provide consumers with the freedom to choose their seats, as purchasing a ticket establishes a contractual relationship [19][20]. - However, it is contended that the primary obligation of airlines is to transport passengers safely to their destinations, and not necessarily to fulfill specific seat selection requests [20][21]. - The concept of public service in aviation is highlighted by the need for airlines to maintain operations in underserved areas, reflecting their social responsibility beyond mere profit motives [20][21].