They do & sometimes flights depart with empty F seats, too. The point is that they gain parity with higher Elites. It never made sense to me that 2 MVPs on the same PNR were excluded from upgrades. You can't book separate PNRs with a Companion Certificate and most would be more comfortable traveling together on a single PNR award booking, especially if it is on an AS flight to a partner gateway.

If there is only one seat in F, they now have the ability, if desired, to split the PNR and one take the upgrade, just like higher Elites.

It never was based on EQM, it is based on BIS miles. Any EQM earned from COS bonuses in high Main fare buckets and First never came into play. Keeping that distinction with new ways to earn EQM is already in place and utilized for EQM earned via credit card spend.

James