Originally Posted by FWAAA

Although I'm firmly in the seat maps are unreliable indicators of almost everything that matters camp, this is one area where the seat maps do reveal some relevant data: on AA's 772s, when most of 31AB and 31HJ are reserved when I book, more often than not, my SWU request must be waitlisted. When three or four of them are vacant, my SWU request tends to clear upon request.

My WAG agrees with uscjeff: perhaps some upgrades cleared and that opened up the exit rows.