Originally Posted by redburgundy
In 13D or 13F, if you put up your TV screen, it creates a small physical barrier, and your seatmate in 13E will almost certainly want to climb out the other way rather than over your screen. If all the screens are up, the 13E screen and the 13F screen are side by side, and the 13E passenger has an incentive to climb out to the left, over 13D.
On the other hand, in 13F you share the space for drinks with 13E. In 13D you have it all for yourself -- definitely more private and avoids spills from the next guy (gal).