Originally Posted by
sbm12
The assumption that the cabin will remain empty often proves a false one. I take the seat I want based on what's available at time of selection. And, yes, sometimes that means a seat next to someone else when there are pairs open elsewhere in the cabin.
Agreed.
As such, a seat map is a poor indication of flight loads and should not be assumed to predict the load of a flight, especially not in certain places where people rarely do online check-in and/or select seats.