Originally Posted by
okbookgirl
I've been watching my seat assignments like a hawk (still like 5 months out HAHA but I bought the tickets over a month ago). Because I want to keep telling myself it was totally worth paying the extra $126 to pick my seats. Both my flights, I was the only one in the section except for the exit row and bulkheads and I was like 'I'm the newb who actually paid for assigned seating' when no one else does. After looking today I've decided it's worth it.
Flying to London on a Saturday, I'm still in an empty section (well the bulkhead and exit are blocked out but that might be normal) but flying home on a Monday and there is only one window seat left and that is part of the only pair of seats left in the 2 seat sections on the side. There is also one whole row of the middle four blocked out.
I'm a little mystified as to how flying over it's empty and flying back it's picked over, but since I really wanted a window seat I'm now glad I paid for choice. Hopefully I don't have a story to tell when I get back.
On the fuller flight I have no seat mate as of yet.
I think you will find that the seatmap as displayed and the reality once you get on the plane are two completely different things. Most people don't select their seats until checkin and many people are assigned seats randomly. That's why you're not seeing anyone next to you. My guess is that if you look at the seatmap shortly before boarding you'll be a little shocked.