SIN to HKG (747) today left the gate with many empty rows in E+ (BigE switched from 36D to a open HJK, where he slept restfully). Meanwhile the forward and rear E- cabins were relatively full. During a mechanical delay, I could see many heads sneaking jealous peeks into the E+ cabin. Sure enough, mass poaching soon followed. I noticed 3 or 4 different groups.

Fortunately, the flight attendants were on top of the situation and forced them to move back. One chinese lady insisted that there was a mistake with her booking and said "Sorry, I'm staying here." She held out a long time but eventually lost the battle of wills with the purser. It could have ended ugly, but the purser kept her cool.