"Window and aisle seats require extra fees"…Chinese passengers frustrated while boarding plane

Controversy Over Excessive Additional Charges by Chinese Private Airlines
Fees Imposed Without Clear Reasons for Basic Seat Selection
"Increase in Consumers' Financial Burden" Sparks Public Discontent

Chinese private airlines are facing criticism for excessively charging additional fees based on seat selection services. On the 14th, China's state-run media China Central Television (CCTV) reported, "Recently, some airlines have introduced additional fee systems for basic seat selection services based on industry practices, fixing window, aisle, and front seats, and requiring consumers to pay extra fees, which has caused dissatisfaction and suspicion among consumers."

Previously, on Chinese social networking services (SNS), numerous complaints about private airlines poured in. Many seats on the seat selection screen after booking a flight ticket were locked and could not be selected without paying an additional fee. CCTV pointed out, "Last month, a flight from Beijing to Urumqi had a total of 176 seats on board, but the window and aisle seats in the first 10 rows could not be selected."

In response, the China Consumers Association issued a statement the day before, saying, "Additional fees for seat selection in private aviation should not become a practice," and "The relevant authorities should take the lead in strengthening industry guidance and standardizing business conduct."

The association evaluated, "The practice of charging additional fees for seat selection increases the financial burden on consumers and infringes on their legitimate rights such as choice and the right to know," adding, "It violates the principles of fair trade." It also pointed out, "Charging extra fees for relatively preferred seats such as aisle or window seats ultimately leads to unauthorized fare increases."

According to the Chinese economic media Caijing, the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission imposed administrative penalties on China United Airlines in July 2016 for charging passenger seat selection fees as an independent fare item, confiscating illegal gains and imposing fines exceeding 440,000 yuan (approximately 87 million KRW). Since then, domestic seat selection fees have been discontinued, but fees are reportedly still charged for international flights.

Caijing noted, "More and more airlines are displaying service prices for excess baggage, meals, and priority boarding," and "Some full-service carriers (FSC) have started selling tickets without free checked baggage allowance, and fares are higher if checked baggage is needed." It also predicted, "Since the association's recommendations lack actual enforcement power, the controversy may continue."