Not necessarily. I was surprised on my last flight DXB-GLA. It was showing as full in Y until OLCI. Had been trying for a miles upgrade on this leg but to no avail. Was on a Y flex so was hoping I was in with a shout for an OpUp. Didn't happen. Had an exit row seat so had plenty of legroom anyway and as it turned out, the other two seats in the row were available. Seen a few status holders on this route in the past so was quite surprised when the Purser came to me and said there was a full row a few rows behind and he had blanketed them off for me if I wanted the space to lie down. Turned out I was the highest status holder in Y on a nearly full flight.

S