Not Fair to Charge Extra for Cosy Seats on Flights

One after another domestic airline has started charging extra fees (up to 100 yuan or US$15.70) for passengers that decide to choose their preferred seats. Comments:

Seat selection charges have been better accepted on international routes, because the longer the duration of a flight, the more a passenger wants to get a relatively comfortable seat. Most flights on domestic routes usually take two hours and seldom are people willing to pay more for a slightly more comfortable seat with a relatively small number of passengers on board.

Beijing Daily, Sep. 15

Airlines should consider all differences as factors. It is easy to fall into a meaningless debate on fairness. But fairness is reflected in the respect for people, not the money they spend or their consumption capacity. A person feels more comfortable or more secure not because of a seat or the things around him/her but because of his/her mind.

Qianjiang Evening News, Sep. 16

Charging passengers for choosing a seat is illegal and largely a violation of consumer rights, in particular the right to information. So we need to ask airlines to inform passengers that if they want to choose a seat, they have to pay extra charges. But for those that do not select, the airlines should reduce their ticket prices. Budget airlines are an example in this regard. Although they do not provide water, their lower fares compensate for the inconvenience. If passengers need water, they have to pay. That's the rule.