Core Viewpoint - The phenomenon of airlines "locking seats" is a controversial practice that appears to segment service levels but is essentially a method to increase revenue at the expense of passenger rights [1][4]. Group 1: Revenue Generation Tactics - Airlines are locking seats in the economy class, particularly those near the front or by emergency exits, requiring passengers to either redeem miles or pay fees to unlock these seats, which has become a significant pain point in the industry [1][4]. - One airline categorizes locked seats into three tiers: preferred seats (2000 points), first-choice seats (1600 points), and standard seats (1000 points), with additional fees of 400 yuan, 320 yuan, and 200 yuan respectively for unlocking these seats [1][4]. Group 2: Consumer Rights Violations - The practice of charging for seat selection infringes on multiple consumer rights, including the right to be informed about the true nature of the services purchased, as airlines do not clearly indicate which seats require additional fees or the basis for these fees [1][5]. - According to the Consumer Rights Protection Law, consumers have the right to choose products or services freely, and the airlines' practice of linking seat selection to additional fees restricts this freedom [2][5]. Group 3: Fair Trading Principles - The airlines' pricing strategy lacks a basis in actual service provided, as the economy class service remains the same regardless of seat selection, thus violating the principle of fair trading [2][5]. - The shift from a "first-come, first-served" model to a "pay-to-select" model exploits the airlines' market position, turning a previously free service into a revenue-generating mechanism, which increases the financial burden on consumers [2][5]. Group 4: Regulatory Concerns - The "pay-for-seat" practice may also violate pricing laws that require clear pricing and prohibit additional charges beyond the listed price [3][6]. - There is a call for coordinated action from relevant parties to compel airlines to enhance service levels and restore passenger rights, with a push for regulations to prevent the normalization of such practices in the industry [3][6].

Core Viewpoint - The investigation by Jiangsu Consumer Protection Committee reveals that domestic airlines are locking a significant percentage of economy class seats, which raises concerns about consumer rights and fair pricing practices [1][2][3]. Group 1: Investigation Findings - The investigation found that all surveyed airlines exhibit varying degrees of "seat locking," with the percentage of locked seats ranging from 19.9% to 62.1%, averaging 38.7% [1]. - Spring Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines have particularly high locking rates, exceeding 60% and 50% respectively on specific routes [1]. - The locked seats are primarily located in preferred areas such as the front rows, window, and aisle seats, while available free seats are often in less desirable locations [2]. Group 2: Consumer Rights and Legal Perspectives - According to legal experts, the practice of charging for seat selection may violate consumer rights, as it transforms basic services into additional fees without proper disclosure [2]. - The Consumer Protection Law grants consumers the right to fair trading, which includes being informed about any additional charges related to seat selection [2]. Group 3: Industry Implications and Recommendations - The practice of "seat locking" is viewed as a method for airlines to increase revenue at the expense of customer experience, potentially harming long-term industry growth [3]. - Experts suggest that airlines should maintain a balance between commercial interests and consumer rights, ensuring that a majority of seats remain available for free selection while allowing a small percentage for premium pricing [4]. - Future regulatory scrutiny will focus on how airlines address these issues, emphasizing the need for a balance between market operations and public service responsibilities [4].

近期，飞机"锁座"及有偿选座服务引发热议，不少消费者反映，在线选座时经济舱前排、靠窗、靠过道等较为便利舒适的座位常被单独锁定，要么无法选 择，要么需额外付费或用积分兑换。这一行为无异于是航司变相增加收益的手段，损害了消费者合法权益。江苏省消保委近期针对机票锁座开展了专项调 查，于今天（11月26日）公布了调查结果。 此次调查选取了国内10家航司作为调查对象，包括东方航空、南方航空、中国国航、海南航空、厦门航空、深圳航空、山东航空、四川航空、春秋航空、 吉祥航空，通过消费者实际购票、线上选座的方式，对上述航司的官方购票App进行了摸查，重点关注锁座比例、锁座范围、兑换模式及客服解释口径等 内容。为厘清行业经营边界，推动消费者合法权益得到切实保障，江苏省消保委线上约谈上述十家航空公司。会上，江苏省消保委结合调查结果，通报了 机票锁座服务市场存在的四个问题： 一是锁座行为普遍存在，优质座位过度锁定。10家航司经济舱均存在锁座行为，购票阶段锁座比例介于19.9%～62.1%之间，均值达38.7%。且锁定范围高 度集中于经济舱前排、靠窗及靠过道等消费者偏好的优质座位，仅开放中间区域、机尾等舒适度较差的座位供免费选择，限 ...

四川航空、山东航空、春秋航空选座页面 解锁机制变相付费，挤压普通消费者权益。锁定的优选座位主要依赖会员积分/里程兑换，但非会员或 偶尔出行的消费者缺乏积分累积渠道，只能被动接受普通座位；部分航司进一步增设付费路径，开放积 分/里程付费购买座位，实质将"基本座位选择权"拆分为付费服务，变相提高出行成本。 此外，信息不透明且解释不合理，侵犯知情权。部分航司选座页面标识模糊，购票时未显著告知锁座规 则与收费标准；客服回应则多显牵强，常以"保障安全""系统默认"等为由，与"高比例锁座、付费即 解"的实际相悖，无法提供合法合理依据。 11月26日，针对由来已久的飞机"锁座"及有偿选座服务等问题，江苏省消保委发布消息称，已于11月21 日线上约谈了东方航空、南方航空、中国国航、海南航空、厦门航空、深圳航空、山东航空、四川航 空、春秋航空、吉祥航空等十家航空公司。 江苏省消保委结合调查结果，通报了机票锁座服务市场存在的四个问题。锁座行为普遍存在，优质座位 过度锁定。10家航司经济舱均存在锁座行为，购票阶段锁座比例介于19.9%—62.1%之间，均值达 38.7%。且锁定范围高度集中于经济舱前排、靠窗及靠过道等消费者偏好的优 ...

近期，飞机"锁座"及有偿选座服务引发热议，不少消费者反映，在线选座时经济舱前排、靠窗、靠过道 等较为便利舒适的座位常被单独锁定，要么无法选择，要么需额外付费或用积分兑换。这一行为无异于 是航司变相增加收益的手段，损害了消费者合法权益。江苏省消保委近期针对机票锁座开展了专项调 查，于今天（11月26日）公布了调查结果。 一是确保信息透明，清晰、完整、及时地向消费者告知座位分布与收费政策； 二是保障规则公平，确保购买同等票价旅客享有平等的选座机会； 三是尊重选择自主，充分保障消费者的知情权与选择权，杜绝变相强制消费。 同时，江苏省消保委就飞机票锁座问题的整改工作，向各航司提出两点明确要求，并于15个工作日内将 整改情况以书面形式进行提交。 此次调查选取了国内10家航司作为调查对象，包括东方航空、南方航空、中国国航、海南航空、厦门航 空、深圳航空、山东航空、四川航空、春秋航空、吉祥航空，通过消费者实际购票、线上选座的方式， 对上述航司的官方购票App进行了摸查，重点关注锁座比例、锁座范围、兑换模式及客服解释口径等内 容。为厘清行业经营边界，推动消费者合法权益得到切实保障，江苏省消保委线上约谈上述十家航空公 司。会上 ...