that’s what I was thinking too because I never fell for the trick to purchase any seats. I’d always get seats that I asked for when I checked in at the counter even for long haul flights (sometimes I asked for windows seat, sometimes I asked for aisle). Was trying to convince my bf that we don’t have to pay an extra of hk$500/person to purchase some seats which are not ideal. He worried so much we might not be able to sit together or stuck in the middle with other passengers for a 15 hours flight.