Asian low-cost carriers AirAsia and Tiger Airways have dropped their free-seating policies in favour of priority boarding and advance seat selection.
Singapore's Tiger recently completed a switch to pre-allocated seating for all flights. Passengers can select seats in advance for an additional fee. Malaysia's AirAsia stopped short of introducing assigned seating but does now offer priority boarding. The service allows passengers to pay to board the aircraft first in a bid to boost ancillary revenues.
Their moves come as the Indian government has taken the unusual step of requiring the country's airlines to have assigned seating. Low-cost carrier Air Deccan is the only airline in India with a free seating policy and is now protesting against the government directive.
Source: Airline Business
