Choose seats way in the back!

I was the lucky recipient of seat 1C on a CRJ-900, when originally sitting in 19A. They had empty seats up front, and a full load down back (as well as what was likely a lot of weight from baggage, since this was a JFK-originated flight). So for "weight and balance", they moved us up.

Probably more likely if you're in the very last row (which doesn't recline), but they moved two rows of PAX up front to balance things out. Not much more of first-class service (still no food), but got free drinks and all.