Just got off CX901 earlier today (delayed 9am HKG departure), and the 777P was chock full in ALL classes, including ALL seats in the dense 2-3-2 Biz Class. Crowd/queue to board overwhelmed Gate 5, spilling out to Gate 6 and the corridor in front of the gate. I know this is anecdotal, but all flights I've been on the past two months to/from MNL, FUK, MAD were all very full in all classes. I don't get why the A321 still gets deployed on the MNL route -- clearly CX can fill up the larger aircraft anytime, it seems.

As for OP's concern, IMO the A321 is just crowded and uncomfortable, on any row, even on this short flight. I suppose Row 22 has some legroom, but not much. The only thing I like about this aircraft is the IFE system. Updated and extensive selections -- unlike the 777.