Can't tell what the OPs friend should do, but....
....I've had an UG offered when traveling with my SO. I asked if it was possible for both of us to get UGed -- it wasn't. I then declined the UG, since we were traveling for the purpose of being together on a vacation, not to have a super-cool-flying-experience in opposite ends of the A/C. Got exit-row together instead, which was fine and we had a great trip...and we're still together.