GrayAnderson

I could give several answers which are all technically true, but the rub is that I'm trying to pile up DL segments for VS status prior to that rules change happening. Thus my preferences, in order, are:
(1) A workable time of travel that lets me have dinner in Montreal, then
(2) More segments (since VS status is more-or-less based on segment count), then
(3) Segments long enough to get a meal, then
(4) More mileage (since VS still awards mileage based on distance traveled instead of money spent).

Cost is relevant as well, but it applies in the context of 1-4 rather than being a solely independent variable (e.g. I'll happily pay an extra $50 for an extra segment). 3/4 are also pretty much a tie (and often go together), but I'll usually trade a few hundred miles for not having to scramble for food on a layover.

Edit: This would still be relevant if I were chasing DL status as well, but it's somewhat moreso on VS.

Edit 2: There's only one traveler (me), hence the frustration. Mind you, I have friends who would likely enjoy joining me on such a wacky routing and others who would tolerate my craziness. The relevance of there being three seats is more that "There is more than one seat available so there really shouldn't be a reason it's tied up".