Originally Posted by
lateott
Several posts here have already pointed out the incredibly low probability that those 2 seats would both be vacant on a flight that was 96% full.
Before we get too carried away here with theoretical theories ...
- The flight's scheduled type was a smaller MAX-8, which was used on all preceding days. However, as this particular MAX-9 had been restricted from ETOPS flying, there was a switcharound, and it was used.
- The additional seat rows it provided were at the back, where the plug is. These rear seats were all completely unreserved when the aircraft switch was made.
- Most passengers in the USA select their seats at booking, which would be before the additional seats were known.
- The most favoured seats are forward, to be first out of the aircraft.
- In the USA, there is a notable preference for aisle seats. This may seem strange to Europeans, where there is more of a preference for window seats. Note the one passenger in the incident row was in the aisle seat.
- There were several seats which were vacant, not just these two. Likely they were all around this area.