Three class 777 for a Two class flight-how do I get rows one or two?
 

Emirates are introducing 777-300ER on one of their BHX flights from July.
The aircraft is designated 54J310Y and on one of my sectors later this year, travelling in J,I could only book no more forward than row 6-the front cabin was blank (the First rows 1&2 did not exist, although they do on a normal seat plan)
So- some lucky J PAX could get the First seats although not the service.
Question-how do I get them?
Skywards say they cannot do it so when, and by whom are they allocated?
Doubt if it will be a full aircraft so will it be done at check-in at originating airport (for me COK but could be SYD for others) or at boarding in Dubai by checkin staff or by the FA when on board dependent on the colour of your Skywards card or my big smile and cheek?
Thoughts from you experts out there?

I am in the same situation flying out of BHX EK38.

I think it has been mentioned somewhere before on this board, that these seats can be picked during online-check in... It would be great to get confirmation on that

This is a situation I've encountered quite often, albeit almost always on the 2-class DXB-KHI-DXB route where 3-class aircraft seem quite commonly substituted. I've always been able to pick seats in the F cabin online (both MMB and OLCI): they've merely showed up as 2-2-2 configured seats in the J cabin, just situated ahead of the standard 2-3-2 seats (no bulkhead/divider shown). Now that I think about it, the gold plastic may have something to do with this - not quite sure.

The 3 class tripple 7 was also on the BHX route in April. The seats were not selectable when i booked the flight. But during OLCI they were. I waited for the OLCI to open 24 hours before the flight and grabbed a first class seat!!

Only problem was due to load factors in Economy it was switched back to a 2 class on the morning of the flight!! Still much better than the Airbus though.

Thanks
Looks like my best bet is to use OLCI at Cochin the day before and see if i can change seats to 1or2 for my connecting flight to BHX.

Thanks
Looks like my best bet is to use OLCI at Cochin the day before and see if I can change seats to 1or2 for my connecting flight to BHX.

(whoops-fat fingers)