Originally Posted by LHR/MEL/Europe FF

Re posters comments - the OP was asking, if I gether correctly, that they hoped to secure 5 seats without paying because flight loads were light. That's where my 'sitting in the middle' tactics work because it tends to discourage others from coming to claim the empties and you can get a good night's sleep. Granted it's only happened on a few flights, and the nice people in the Flagship lounge and/or Firsct Class check-in have no worries about 'blocking the seats' if the flight is light and you have the right status level. It always pays to confirm that the seats have not been allocated just before boarding to ensure that when you take the middle seat it hasn't been given away!

On the other hand, if you PAID for 5 seats - then there would be no question asked about you claiming all 5 and not letting anyone sit there. The 5 seats would be on the pax manifest under your name, and the FAs would all be aware that those seats are yours (they have to know to make the correct headcount) and would tell other pax to leave the seats if necessary. Most airlines will allow you to book extra seats, they are sold at the base fare without taxes and charges (although the fuel surcharge is in question).

With regards

L/M/E FF