Etihad Airways Etihad Guest - What is the secret about 5 E,F (2-class A332)?

I am travelling with my wife these days.

The EY floor plan in biz is not really made for couples travelling together (only three couples seat pairs in the middle). 5 E,F is blocked on both flights ("airport control"), the other doubles are taken (sometimes by single travellers ...).

Why are 5 E,F blocked? Why can't they be released for an Elite? Room for improvement, Etihad.

Don't rely on the web page seat-map, it's nonsense. You have to call them for seating.I am travelling with my wife these days.Whose wife were you travelling with before?

I was told these two seats are only allocated at check in as airline regs dictate only persons with certain capabilities can have them and they have to check you over! I assume its the same as the door row in economy.
You can put your name down by telephone as a preference but you will not be able to confirm your seats until check in.

5E/F can be assigned for single travellers online (from expedia). Have seen this done several times.

5E/F can be assigned for single travellers online (from expedia). Have seen this done several times.

Really? I called EY and they cannot assign those seats (I am talking about the 2-class version of the plane, maybe it is different in the 3-class version?).

Really? I called EY and they cannot assign those seats (I am talking about the 2-class version of the plane, maybe it is different in the 3-class version?).

It was both the 2 class (AUH-SIN-BNE) and 3 class (AUH-SYD).
Even I was surprised when I was able to select them through expedia's seat pinpointer (you could try for yourself a dummy booking).

So just to report back: I had checked in my wife ("silver") and myself ("Elite") 24 hours befoe departure online (not at the airport), and 5E,F were available. What rubbish is that? Why can't they release them right away if they make them available at online check-in (without physical fitness or similar check).