China's High-Speed Rail Under Fire for Subpar First-Class Seating

At the heart of the issue is the fact that certain trains have a "mixed carriage arrangement" where business and first-class seats are combined in the same carriage. This has led to passengers feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable as they are assigned seats that lack armrest dividers and non-adjustable backrests, typically found in standard first-class seating.

The problem gained widespread attention on August 2, 2025, with media outlets like Dahe Daily reporting on existing passenger complaints regarding these specific seats. However, reports indicate that passengers had been voicing concerns about these seats as early as July 3-8, 2025, and possibly even before that.

Many passengers have taken to social media to share their experiences and frustrations, coining the term "低人一等座" (inferior seating) to describe what they perceive as a subpar experience despite paying a premium. The discomfort caused by these seats, described as having no armrests, sliding passengers forward, and non-adjustable backrests, is a major point of contention.

The public reaction to this issue has been one of frustration and disappointment, with many feeling that they paid for a premium experience but received a second-class ride. There is a strong sense of injustice, as passengers feel cheated when their first-class ticket doesn't guarantee a consistent, comfortable experience. The psychological impact of this discrepancy has been highlighted, leading to a "sense of psychological gap."

The call for better service details has been a dominant theme, with users emphasizing that despite the rapid hardware development of China's high-speed rail, service details need to be refined. There is a call for railway departments to find a better balance between operational efficiency and passenger experience, recognizing that behind every seat is a passenger's expectation for quality travel.

While some have suggested that this might be a matter of luck, implying that not every first-class ticket will result in such a seat, many passengers feel that the discomfort is unacceptable, especially for longer trips. The railway department has acknowledged the issue and stated that they will record and feedback the opinions to higher authorities.

The issue touches upon consumer rights, service quality, and the gap between advertised services and actual customer experience, especially for a mode of transport like high-speed rail, which is often seen as a national symbol in China. As the topic continues to trend, it remains to be seen how the railway authorities will address the concerns of passengers and work towards providing a more consistent and comfortable experience for all.