Flights

Has anyone ever been upgraded on a flight?

I always ask at check in if an upgrade is possible, am early to check in and dress well, but despite my efforts I have never been able to get upgraded!

What is the secret? Does it ever happen? 

My dad was once but I think it was more of a lucky coincidence than anything else! Basically the flight was overbooked as they often are, and they had to ask someone to volunteer to be bumped to another flight. He volunteered but then it turned out a seat was available in first class on the initial flight, so they gave him that one as a thank you for volunteering.

The problem is when they do have seats available in first class they will often save the upgrade for frequent flyers, or people who are part of their executive club thing as they are eager to secure their loyalty.

My boyfriend's been upgraded a couple of times (unfortunately never when I've been with him) - he just asked nicely, and was lucky enough to get it.

Really? I'm jealous! I always ask as well but it's never worked. The one time I flew business class was on the way to Chicago, which we got through my dad's air miles. It was the coolest thing ever, didn't want to get off the plane when we arrived!

Was it much better in business class? We got extra leg room on the way back from our last holiday - that was pretty nice, but an upgrade would have been nicer

I've just booked my flight to NY with Virgin and was tempted to pay an extra £170 for business - in the end I found you could just book your seat so I got a pretty decent one (hopefully).

I can only imagine what it's like in business or first class. My perception is mostly based on films and tv! Hopefully one day I'll be able to try it! I'll just have to pluck up the courage to ask for a free upgrade next time I fly! 

I'm flying with them when I go on holiday next year - well excited - Virgin are really good!

I've been upgraded quite a few times.  I am afraid one of the previous posters is correct.  You need to be in their mileage/loyalty scheme for this to happen reliably. 

I had a period where I was flying to Japan and back about 10 times a year  and the flights were business class (so 20 flights, at £2700 for the round trip) so in that year I gained their highest card type.  The following year was at the beginning of the recession and we down graded to economy but every flight I did that year was upgraded.

So the simple answer is to fly a lot!  I probably only manage about 12 flights a year in total now and needless to say I hardly ever get upgraded now.  BA have upgraded me a couple of times but that has always been after complaining about the previous flight....

I think you're more likely to get a free upgrade when you travel alone. My mum used to travel to Australia quite a lot (trooper - that's such a horrible flight!) and whenever she did it on her own I think the air hostesses felt sorry for her and upgraded her.

I can't believe how expensive it is just for more leg room though. Some people we were flying with on the way back from America paid something like 80 pounds for more leg room and their seats weren't much different to ours.

I'd love to try first class!

Yeah I would absolutely love to fly first class on a long flight! 

First class would actually be amazing! 

Ah I would love to fly business class

I've flown business class once to New York all I can say is it was awesome

Ooh jealous! Was the food that much better?

Surely even the best plane food is still not as good as a decent restaurant meal? My main concern with a long flight is just being comfortable and not having someone really gross nearby - it's not something I get excited about or look forward to.

Perfect timing as usual - flying out in 3 days and the hurricane's in town !