So, the wife and I are flying to Sydney next month. Despite booking in January, the only available outbound seats were row five in the middle. We'd prefer to be in rows one or two.

Now, just to be clear, I'm not even planning to try and purloin these seats - if it's even feasible - as I'd hate it to happen to me when my status inevitably/eventually drops!

Hence, it got me thinking... I know it's been discussed / mooted / suspected on here several times but does it actually happen (across all cabins)?

High(er)-status passengers pinching other passengers' seats that is, not just operational seat shifting...