Korean Air Skypass - Intra-Asia flights sold as 2 class, but on 3 cabin aircraft

So, I am booked in business on KE between BKK and PUS and the flight is on A333. On their seat map, A333 only has one version (though I thought there were more) and this features F cabin, three class configuration.

BKK-PUS is sold as a two class.

@ Check-in or by calling KE reservation, can I perhaps ask them to assign me on row 1 or 2 where the F cabin is situated or does KE fly F cabin empty?

I've flown KE business on MNL-ICN where F was sold, but for my flight was empty. The FAs and the check-in agent did not open up F seats for C pax.

They used to put their frequent flyers in the F cabin when it was sold as only 2 classes. I don't know if this is still the practice or not sicne they are selling all 3 classes to most destinations now. I also don't know if Skyteam status will get you into the F cabin or not. There are threads that talk about this, all you get is a better seat, service is still C.

In your case I'd beg, steal, or do whatever you can to get the seat in the F cabin. The C seats on the A330 are a joke. They're not much better than a domestic F seat in the US. If the check-in agent won't give it to you, try again with the gate agent.

In my experience, getting upgraded to actual F (i.e., on a flight where F seats are sold) is very uncommon, unless the flight is heavily oversold. In cases where only Y and C are sold on a 3-class plane, KE seems to fill the C cabin before assigning F seats to C passengers. I'm a DL PM, traveling with a MC Premium member, and we rarely end up in F seats. Ime, KE is pretty stingy with upgrades; I have a much better record on other Asian airlines where I have no status. It never hurts to ask, though.

The part regarding BKK-ICN is not the case of "free upgrade" per se, but I was trying to see if anyone had luck in being assigned to those F seats on flights only selling C and Y.

You are right about MNL flight though. If F is sold on the route, airlines won't upgrade anyone unless they are heavily oversold.