We are flying to New Orleans next year, which looks like the 77M there and back. We have reserved 7K and 8K as it appears it is not easy to talk if sitting in the middle seat pairs - is this correct? Was thinking 7K and 8K for the inbound as will be mostly sleeping but 7E and 7F are available for outbound if these are better for couples. We like to sit at the back of the cabin.

Also, it looks like rows 1 and 2 are not able to be reserved and these are for first class, but there is no first class on this route. What happens with these seats?