I’m not sure about your first question as my only experience so far on a B787 in WT was in a bulkhead window seat.
but on this part:
Originally Posted by
GulkanaAlaska
while “in the neighborhood” of armrests, I noticed no apparent way to raise the aisle armrest at all. Is there?
on most aircraft, there is a lever towards the back of the aisle armrest that unlocks and allows you to lift it up. Certainly all short haul A320 family aircraft have that (at least with the older Pinnacle seats), and the B747 used to as well. Useful for nipping out to the toilet before meal trays are cleared in.