This is typical of intra-European segments for European carriers. No seat assignments until checkin.

It's not really a frenzy, it's quite orderly, actually. First come, first served, they fill up the plane from the front to back, barring any special requests.

As opposed to the U.S. system where they pre-assign seats, but can't release no-shows until x minutes before departure to accommodate frustrated pax who are waiting, hovering around the podium. Now that's the frenzy.