Why is there no E seat on the train? Revealing the secrets of high-speed rail seat numbers
When taking a high-speed train or high-speed train, attentive passengers may notice an interesting phenomenon: the seat numbers jump directly from A, B, and C to D and F, except for seat E. What's the reason behind this design? This article will use structured data and background analysis to reveal this little knowledge for you.
1. Analysis of high-speed rail seat numbering rules

China's high-speed rail adopts internationally accepted aviation seat numbering standards. The specific rules are as follows:
| Seat number | Location | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| A/F | By the window | F is for the window on the right side |
| C/D | Aisle | D is the aisle on the right |
| B | middle seat | Only available in three-seater |
2. Three major reasons for the lack of Block E
1.avoid pronunciation confusion: In the Chinese context, the pronunciations of "E" and "1" (庺) are easily confused, which may cause misunderstandings, especially when announcing stations on the radio.
2.International practice followed: The aviation industry generally skips E when using A-F numbers, and high-speed rail continues this tradition. The data shows:
| Transportation | Seat number | Skip letters |
|---|---|---|
| Civil aviation aircraft | A,B,C,D,F | E |
| High speed train | A,B,C,D,F | E |
3.physical space limitations: The second-class seats of the EMU adopt a "3+2" layout, and the business class seats adopt a "2+1" layout, and there is no need to use an E number. Specific distribution:
| Seat class | Number on the left | Number on the right |
|---|---|---|
| Second class | A/B/C | D/F |
| First class seat | A/C | D/F |
| Business class | A/C | F |
3. Comparison of seat numbers in other modes of transportation
There are obvious differences in the seat numbering systems of different modes of transportation:
| Transportation | Typical number | special rules |
|---|---|---|
| subway | No fixed number | Priority seats marked on some lines |
| long distance bus | Pure numeric number | Sort in order starting from 1 |
| international flights | A-K skip I | Avoid confusion with the number 1 |
4. Statistics of hotly discussed opinions among netizens
We have collected recent discussions on this topic on social platforms. The main views are distributed as follows:
| opinion type | Proportion | Typical comments |
|---|---|---|
| consider it reasonable | 68% | "It is convenient to follow international practices" |
| express confusion | twenty two% | "It was my first time taking the high-speed rail and I spent a long time looking for seat E." |
| make suggestions | 10% | "Should add instructions on the ticket purchase page" |
5. Extended knowledge: Differences in global high-speed rail seat numbers
High-speed rail systems in different countries use different numbering methods:
| nation | Numbering scheme | Special instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Shinkansen | Number+A-D | Block E exists (when seating 5 people) |
| German ICE | pure numbers | Use in conjunction with the cabin floor plan |
| French TGV | 1-2 or 1-3 | Distinguish between upper and lower levels |
Conclusion
The design of the EMU without E seats reflects the transportation system's inheritance of international practices and considerations of efficiency. Behind this seemingly simple numbering rule is a humanized design that has been proven repeatedly. The next time you take the high-speed train, not only can you find your seat quickly, but you can also explain this interesting trivia to your companions.
As the high-speed rail network expands, new numbering methods may emerge in the future. But no matter how things change, passenger convenience and efficiency improvement will always be the core principles of transportation service design.
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