So, I was traveling on UA, JFK-NRT-SIN, last month. The outgoing flight was a bit empty (since it was smacked on the Lunar new year, so presumably most East Asians usually present on these routes were at home instead of flying). As an elite, I was seated in the E+ section of the 777, and it was less than quarter filled. Indeed, I got the entire 5 seater in the middle to myself (which was all the better since at that time I was nursing a bad cold and needed to lie down). However, I noted that the E- section was pretty jam packed like sardines.

On the return flight, the E+ section was about 3 quarters filled, but again the E- section was packed with almost no free seats left.

So I was thinking that since having E+ actually reduces the number of "regular" E- seats, this increase the pax density in the non-elite section, and thus "devaluing" (ok, UA didn't promise you low density seating) their seats. I mean, if there is no E+ and just regular E all the way, the pax distribution will be more evenly spreaded out.

What do you all think? Are the regular GM getting shafted?