The Mystery Behind the Absence of 'E' Seat Numbers on High-Speed Trains
opher Coyne, who is traveling to Shanghai for a business meeting, has always had a question that has never been answered: why are there no seat numbers with the letter "e" on high-speed trains? It's not just him, as many people have also been wondering about it.

1 February 2024
The reason behind the lack of "e" seat numbers on high-speed trains is quite simple and practical. According to a recent report, the numbering system used for high-speed trains is actually a direct adaptation of the plane seat numbering system. In the past, most planes were single-aisle, with six seats numbered as A, B, C, D, E, and F. Seat A and F were window seats, seat C and D were aisle seats, seat B was the middle position, and seat E was not used.
Therefore, when high-speed trains were designed, it was decided to continue using this numbering system. The numbering system is flexible and adaptable to various types of carriages, such as those with two seats on each side or those with three seats on one side and two on the other. Seats A, D, and F are window seats, opposite to each other, while seats B, C, and E are aisle seats on both sides.
However, the reason behind the absence of seat number "e" in high-speed trains is a bit more technical. This is because the numbering system is distributed according to the number of seats in the car. For example, in a standard car, there are three seats on one side and two seats on the other. Therefore, only ABCD four letters are needed to mark the seats. It is only when the car has three seats on one side and two seats on the other that the letter "f" is needed to mark the seats, and F is used instead of E.
In conclusion, the absence of seat number "e" on high-speed trains is simply due to practical reasons rather than any particular reason. However, it is also worth mentioning that there have also been other seat numbering systems adopted in practice, such as the "abcd" system used in some car models.
In the Weibo commentary, netizens have also expressed their different opinions on this issue. Some people think that the absence of seat number "e" is purely practical, while others believe that the lack of seat number "e" is related to the speed of the train. However, the practical numbering system used in high-speed trains is actually based on passenger safety and comfort, and is not a matter of personal preference or preference. It is hoped that passengers will pay more attention to their own safety and comfort while traveling and not be affected by external factors such as seat number.
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