I flew SFO-SYD return in E+ in Sept this year. In both cases I chose row 38, in one case D and the other G. Reasons: I prefer aisles as I like to be able to get up, it also gives maximum chance to snag a better seat the moment they've finished loading. If the plane is empty you get the chance to me the only passenger in a row of 4 (as happened to me on the sfo-syd leg . You are far enough forward and on an aisle to be able to get out early to beat the immigration queue. Also in a middle aisle you are less likely to be bothered by a fellow passenger wanting to get up compared to a side aisle (and if have elite status which tries to block the seat next to you, the chance is even better).

The advice to upgrade is good, and it's not bad value on miles. I was hoping to do that using some LH miles I had, but hadn't read the LH web site carefully enough to discover that V class wasn't eligible internationally . They also weren't selling upgrades at the gate for anything reasonable, despite there being around 35 free seats in J . If you are lucky, you might get it for around $600.