Not true at all - try selecting row 1 in CE as a Silver for example. QF, same thing, on the 388 the entire front cabin in J (5 rows) is blocked for Emeralds and above and often if you have no or entry level status, there is very little choice even in an almost empty cabin until T-72. On the 738, only the last row is avaliable. Even VN reserves seats 1AC on the 321 and 1A and 2A on the 359 and 789 for elites.

This is theoretical seating and it's part of Amaedus Altea - many major carriers use this system, even if the vast majority of passengers are not aware of it.

what's the hype about rows 11 & 12?
they're too close to the lavatories & galley for comfort, wouldn't you get less disturbance midway down the other J section?

OK, good point. I was talking about long-haul J specifically but wasn't clear about that in my OP.
Some prefer the more intimate atmosphere and not being part of a large, dorm-like cabin. I agree that 12 is too close to the lavs and galleys, but 11 is not IMO and is my favorite row. I would probably take a row further back over 12 though.

Can anyone tell me when, if at all, the seats open up to gen pop for seat selection?
Currently in 22A on a 4-class flight next week from JFK-HKG and wouldn't mind 11A/12A. ExpertFlyer shows them currently blocked, with only 11K showing as occupied. TIA.

I never understood the preference for mini cabins. I find them too confining and prefer the general cabin.

Wait for online check-in.

In the 4-class 77A that benjahman is flying, row 11 has considerably more space than the other seats. And no galley/lav in front, just F class.

Also, row 12 ain’t bad at all imho.

Yes- next to the lavs, but the placement of the curtain (between 12/lav), and the fact that most foot traffic to the lavs is typically from the seats behind the galley - so, stays behind the curtain makes it a non issue for me.

Traveling as a family of 4, 11/12 G/K are our preferred seats and the block makes it a lot easier to get these seats nowadays (I’m DM, never had an issue getting them to open for the rest of the family who are not).

Quieter, less dorm like.

But YMMV. I don't see so much 77Ws as you do.

good to know. I must have been in row 12 that time and fail to notice how nice row 11 is.