Originally Posted by
eminere
To close this off and provide a data point: no, these seats do not become free to select when online check-in opens. In fact, for my flights they showed as occupied on the Emirates app/web site, even though ExpertFlyer indicated they were unallocated. I was able to get these seats for free at airport check-in (noting the check-in agent had to get approval from a supervisor to have the seat unblocked).
What you have described is what used to happen but then they brought in extra charges for these seats (free for plats). The seats were then left empty unless paid for and crew on some occasions would enforce this rule if passengers tried moving to these seats once on board.
Now it seems like this policy has reverted back. These seats are also assigned to passengers free of charge on full/oversold flights as well.