What do the blocked seats represent?
I have always wondered what the blocked seats we see on the seatmap on eg expertflyer for CX mean. I often see a pair of blocked seats in F, a few pairs of blocked seats in J which I imagine must be for elites and can understand such a policy.
However, I often see large blocks of seats in Economy blocked off with an x. For instance, for CX 450 on 29-aug (HKG-TPE at 10 hours) under 20% of the seats in Economy have actually been taken but about 70% have been blocked with an x. This leaves a paltry 10% or less seats available.
My Q is what are the blocked seats for? I see some blocked seats being middle seats, so must be courtesy blocks for Golds and upwards? What about others? Are they in anticipation of use by lowly Greens who cannot pre-book seats?
When Greens use online check in, can they choose the seats now blocked?
Or are they only for Silvers? or only for Golds?
Thanks.