Seat selection confusion!
 

Ok so I've got four sectors on CX in economy, on a discounted ticket type so it doesnt allow seat selection until check-in 48 hours in advance.

So I've just been having a look at the seat maps on Expert Flyer to see whether I'm in for a good chance of getting two seats together, and perhaps even exit rows or the twin seats at the back.

However the seat maps look very strange. For the flight in 3 days the seat map looks like this, most seats in the front of both economy cabins are taken, and all the seats at the back are blocked.

http://s14.postimage.org/q3een45fh/Capture.png


But for the flight in 2 days (e.g. under 48 hours away), almost all the seats show as blocked! Does this mean that all of these seats are actually taken?

Are the seats at the rear of the cabin blocked for people checking in 48 hours in advance, or even at the airport? I can't quite work this out!

http://s14.postimage.org/kt9fvtl6l/Capture2.png

Did you read the notice above the CX seat map on EF?

Yes, sorry - I did. But I guess what I am clarifying is whether half the seats are blocked *before* 55 hours so they can be reserved by people checking in at 48 hours.

OR whether those half seats are still actually blocked at 48 hours, and released only for selection at the airport.

I would have assumed the former, but just wanted to know for sure :)

Most blocked seats are actually taken. Only those exit row seats or perhaps bassinet seats might still be available even though shown as blocked. CX charges extra for exit rows, though, so since you are not an elite (or else you could have selected your seats before OLCI opens), you are not getting it for free.

Ok thanks for the info. But it looks like before 55 hours, the entire blocked cabin from row 49 are surely not entirely taken especially for a flight 4 months away?

Before T-55, blocked seats are blocked, i. e., not occupied but not selectable online (depending on status may be selectable via phone).