I was on HKG-SIN earlier this week, got upgraded on my last 3 flights on this back and forth route from cheapo econ tickets. This time didn't get upgraded which is no big deal. At check-in, they blocked the seat next to me and we were scheduled on a 777.

When I got to the gate I saw a 747 and they were scrambling mad to do seat reassignments for the non-existance seats that were on the 777. Apparently they were oversold but it may have something to do with the halting of the 777-300 planes?

So I asked if the seat next to me was still blocked and they said no. Very few middle seats left. However, the agent went one step further and looked at who was seated next to me. Turns out to be a staff, so they moved that person and left the seat next to me empty. Turns out I was the only one that had an empty seat next to them in the cabin that we were seated! Now, which other airline would do that? I didn't even ask them to look.

Thanks CX! ^

Yes, well done CX. Makes me proud to be a MPC member....

Now on american carriers, they'd probably put staff there on purpose and say that they cannot reveal who is seated next to you for 'security purposes'.

So with a few aircraft grounded, the other aircrafts are being called in to subsitute at last minute, huh? What if another aircraft goes mechanical?

Lease SQ / Air China planes again like it did during the pilots' strike a few years ago...? Anyone remember those flighhts? Yaaaah !

Now if that had been me I'd have asked "cabin crew or flight crew?" and if the former I'd have insisted absolutely that they did NOT move them

Not on UA.... On UA, employees fly first class.