My wife is GO, kids/helper no status, I (DM) was recently denied for all 5 (told I could sit there alone, we selected the back regional J section instead). The agent was quite friendly and seemed competent. I felt like I was hearing reality although who knows. For a flight a week out.

Then i wouldn't want to gatecrash your family

ha!

I know it’s a crazy request, but the agent spent a long time away and came back with a very deliberate answer. She also said she also couldn’t put me and my wife (GO who isnt thrilled I let her slip to former DM) up there either. Only me. I was totally convinced. Either she’s telling the truth or a great actor. I totally bought it, something about her delivery.

Up till 31 Dec 2024, they have allowed GO access to those seats. My last success with that was on a 4 class 77A that operated CX739. On board, I found out I was the sole GO together with 5 DMs. Beyond that, CX has protected these and the J bulkheads exclusively

Last week I was moved to 12K on 33A as a GO. So I think 48hrs window maybe still there.

that’s an op up which irrelevant to this thread anyway

Booked on J, so, not an op-up. But yes, there is an equipment swap.

Totally by chance my HKG-TPE were swapped to the very same 33A. In both case cannot select row 11 & 12 online.
HKG>TPE I tried ask during bag dropped. Was being told both rows are full, not sure is it true but at least the 2nd half of the regional J section are completely full
TPE>HKG I ask during bag dropped again, after the agent phone call someone I got re-assigned to 12K. It turns out out of 8 seats in row 11 & 12 only two passengers including me, while the remaining J not full as well (around 50%-ish)

I really hate how 33A is being handled for GO.

I get it when a 77A operates with no F, and DM gets priority. But this is different. I am paying the same fare, and on other flights, this exact seat is sold as Business Class. Now it is being treated as “F served as J” and held back for DM only. That is not acceptable.

On top of that, the regional J product is already very dated. It should have been retired a long time ago.

Isn't it really the same though, at least the first part? Yes you're right that seat is sold as J in long-haul flights, but that's not new at all; KA/CX sold those seats as F to PEK and PVG when the rest of the CX fleet had them as J. I kinda see it as identical to how CX handles the F class section on 77A.

Anyway, there are vastly more GOs than DMs, I think it would ultimately mean DMs couldn't get in the cabin, especially given the profile of DMs regularly booking last minute (yes I know GOs do too, but speaking on a large numbers basis). I know that's not the answer you want to hear, and Mrs. QRC (a GO) vehemently agrees with you, but I don't see how else they should be doing it. You are getting what you pay for, however I'll comment below

Totally agree! Can't argue here. Which I realize is part of the point you're making above.

I'm trying to make sense of this Aria Studio announcement, but as I post in another thread, I actually think the ratio of lie-flat vs. regional won't change that materially fleet-wide. And we'll be stuck with a ton of regional J birds at least through the end of the decade. I hope I'm wrong, but that's how I read it so far.

My experience as a GO in Aug2025 was a no. Not even during OLCI. I had PEN-HKG-TPE with HKG-TPE operated by a 33A. The PEN check-in agent was able to select an ex-F seat for me.

Did you call in and they refused your request?

Yes and the agent specifically said those seats are reserved for DMs.

Ahhhh, maybe i am just one time lucky.

can OW Emerald choose Row 11 and 12 ?