About 2 hours prior to NRT-ORD departure, I was monitoring the AA seat map in the AC. Hoping to see somebody get upgraded out of 31 ABHJ. I did see some changes to the AA.com seatmap, perhaps indicating it is updated during this time. In the end, checked with AC folks, and finally at the gate 10 min prior to boarding to get 31H. So, wondering if the seatmap is automatically updated while flight under airport control and could thus provide useful info in these cases. Or best just to make periodic, polite inquiries of AC & GA staff.