I tried to book an EK F ticketed but got the same error message. Called in and rep said probably phantom seats. I was able to get a Biz class seat for the flights.

The flight is still showing up online today, but still unbookable. I am looking at a flight out of SEA. I know they are cutting back to one fight a day (down from two). I also have heard that flight will have the new F suites at the end of 2017 (when I am booking). Maybe that has something to do with it.

My other issue is with picking a seat. It looks like all the Biz bulkheads are blocked out. Is that normal? Do you have to be a "paying" customer to get those?