Flew LHR-ATH yesterday. Most upfront seats taken with the middle seat empty. I don't know if these were people who were upgraded at check-in, paid for their seats or were pre-seated before the changes.
Two old boys (who were both golds, I saw them at the lounge before) tried to self-upgrade to an exit row after boarding was completed but the cabin manager did not let them. Quite interesting, felt a bit like united.
Not good A3, not good, you should make those seats free at check-in for your valued customers