Having to pay for standard seat selection, on a full-service airline no less, does not sit well with most passengers, says travel hacking website founder Aaron Wong.
If passengers are ultimately going to be assigned a standard seat on the plane anyway, why pay? , with Economy Class passengers having to pay up to US$15 more to reserve a standard seat, depending on the route., could ruffle feathers. But wrapped up in the furore is a bigger question: Why charge for standard seats in the first place?
Standard seats are basically everything left over, and while charging for these might be acceptable on a budget carrier with cheaper fares, on a full-service airline it - quite literally - does not sit well. These seats don’t benefit from additional space or an advantageous cabin location. If you’re ultimately going to be assigned a standard seat anyway, why pay?The cynic in me says that airlines who charge seat selection fees, even for standard seats, are simply monetising anxiety.
It’s classic loss aversion bias, and the entire booking process seems calibrated to play on this unease. At numerous junctures, you’re nudged to add a seat so your group can be seated together, almost as if the airline is whispering in your ear, “But what if?” For starters, SIA’s fees for standard seats are noticeably lower than the competition’s, even following the hike.Moreover, only SIA passengers who purchase the cheapest Economy Lite fare type are subject to standard seat selection fees. Economy Lite passengers can also enjoy a waiver of seat selection fees if they’re elite members of the KrisFlyer or PPS programme, or travelling with an infant or child.
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