So true. No wonder they had to cancel the 207/8 service to JFK.

On every single flight to JFK, whenever I have traveled Y on 203/4 (70% this year), I have had the seat next to me empty. Have managed a 4 seater only on a few times when the flight looked empty and I have gone for a seat in the back. Otherwise, my preferred seat has always been the first cabin. EK203/4 has typically always been a full flight (mostly oversold in the past), but just not going full these days. Sadly, that means no op-ups for me and besides as a 'lowly' Gold these days, I would pretty much be at the bottom of the op-up list anyway.