Originally Posted by
ISTFlyer
Seats would not be pre-assigned unless you online check-in.
If you have no allocated seats at the airport, the check-in agent would pick one for you.
OK I see. The seats are still pre-assigned in terms of the system allocation - does not mean this assignment is visible to a passenger but i guess it still restricts the options a passenger can select from (due to seats pre-assigned to others). Looks like this is done at T-48.