BA and Virgin Atlantic cabin crew reveal 5 tips to get upgraded plane seats | Travel News | Travel

Most holidaymakers would jump at the chance to swap their economy seat for the comfort of business class without paying a penny extra. But getting a free upgrade can often seem like a matter of pure luck, with passengers rarely knowing why one person gets moved while everyone else stays put.

Now, cabin crew with experience at British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have shared some of the tips to improve your chances. While there is no secret trick that will guarantee a better seat, the crew say passengers can do a few simple things that may work in their favour.

And with November approaching, travellers who have some flexibility over when they fly could find themselves with a better opportunity.

A British Airways inflight manager said early November can be one of the quieter times to travel, while evening departures and flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays could offer better opportunities.

He said: “You’ll only be able to get an upgrade when the flight has spare seats that wouldn’t be used by anyone anyway, so your best chance is when it’s quiet.”

Natasha Inglis, client experience director at Good Business Travel, which books business travel for passengers every day, added: “Upgrades come down to empty seats, and quiet periods are when premium cabins have the most room. If your dates are flexible, this is the one tip you can actually plan around. The rest you can only influence on the day, but it’s up to staff discretion.”

Passengers hoping for an upgrade may also want to avoid being among the first people onto the aircraft, while still making sure they arrive at the gate on time.

A BA inflight manager explained: “By the time boarding is nearly complete, crew have already navigated boarding a full cabin and are freer to talk. They also know which premium seats are empty.”

Natasha said: “The crew only knows what’s really empty once boarding is almost done. But I’d never tell anyone to cut it fine or expect an automatic upgrade. Be at the gate on time and let others board first. Turn up late, and you risk losing your seat altogether, which is a lot worse than missing an upgrade.”

Some passengers choose to bring a small gift for the cabin crew, such as chocolates or snacks, as a way of thanking them.

While it does not guarantee an upgrade, the BA inflight manager said: “People who do sometimes get upgraded are people who bring cabin crew thoughtful gifts, like snacks and vouchers, and start a friendly conversation, not those who ask for an upgrade off the bat.”

He said being pleasant could sometimes result in a small complimentary gesture, even when an upgrade was not available.

Natasha added: “Cabin crew deal with stressed, tired passengers all day, so the ones who are warm and patient really stand out. A friendly chat and a genuine thank you go a long way, and although they don’t guarantee an upgrade, a small gesture is a lovely touch if you’d like to make one.”

Passengers may want to think twice before pretending to be celebrating a wedding or honeymoon in hopes of getting special treatment.

The BA manager said: “If you walk up to the crew asking for an upgrade, know that they’ve already heard hundreds of stories about it being your wedding or honeymoon. You might get a free champagne.”

Natasha said: “If it’s a real occasion, flag it in advance, when you book or check in, rather than at the gate. Airlines and crew may acknowledge a celebration with a small gesture.”

Finally, being willing to swap seats to help other passengers could sometimes work in your favour.

A Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member with three years’ experience said: “In some circumstances, a passenger who agrees to move can be rewarded with a more comfortable seat, depending on the situation.”

Overbooked economy cabins can also create opportunities. According to the BA inflight manager, the airline may sometimes upgrade lower-tier travellers in these circumstances.

He explained: “The thinking is that if they get a taste of the higher cabin, they may be more likely to pay for it next time.”

However, passengers should not board expecting any of these tactics to secure them a business-class seat.

Natasha said: “Be a good passenger, kindness goes further than you think. Upgrades depend on availability, fare type and the needs of the flight, so nothing is guaranteed, but travelling at quieter times and being pleasant to crew all help.

“If you fly regularly, joining the airline’s loyalty programme adds to that over time.”