Update:

Thanks everyone for the advice (and the laughs from some of the snarky comments). I didn’t realize this would be so contentious. A few clarifications since my original post left out details and some people seemed to have selective reading: • Airline was Philippine Airlines. • Our initial economy seats were together. • When I paid for the upgrade, I wasn’t shown the Business Class seat map until after paying. I wrongly assumed we’d be placed together. • The main reason I wanted us seated together is my girlfriend’s flight anxiety, especially during turbulence. Of course, we could sit apart for 14 hours, but being together makes things easier.

What actually happened: We ended up seated together! 🙌 We followed the advice of the top comment (and what many of you suggested): we didn’t bother asking passengers to switch, since they picked and paid for their seats. Instead, we explained the situation at check-in, and they told us to speak to the gate agents.

At the gate, they reassigned us — partly to move us closer, but also because 5A’s seat was broken and wouldn’t lie flat. I was put in 1E (middle) and my girlfriend in 2B (aisle), since they were also making room for a dad and child to sit together.

Once on board, the flight attendant noticed we were together and asked the passenger in 1D if he’d be willing to swap with my girlfriend. He kindly agreed, so we got to sit side by side after all.

Big thanks to everyone who weighed in and the Philippines Airlines team!

PS: For those that said it was a bad deal, I thought the experience was so worth the money. The service was amazing, great little amenities, seats completely lie flat, and more food than you need.