44% who booked flights could never get a seat assigned without a fee: survey

Indian consumers are increasingly frustrated with airline practices related to seat selection, according to a new survey by LocalCircles, a consumer advocacy group. The survey reveals the widespread use of “dark patterns” by airlines and online travel portals, manipulating customers into paying extra fees for seat selection during flight bookings.

A significant portion of respondents (44%) reported airlines charging extra fees for every seat on the plane. This forces travellers to pay for preferred seats, even when booking well in advance.