“If you don’t ask, you won’t get”
If you’re dreaming of a luxurious flight experience, one simple rule could be your ticket to getting an upgrade. Taking to the air in a comfy seat with first-class service should be on every traveller’s wish list for 2025, and one travel expert has revealed industry secrets that could see you enjoying the high life in no time.
Many travellers employ the usual tactics of dressing smartly, smiling sweetly or making demands in the hope of securing that coveted first or business-class seat. But trying to impress the cabin crew is a futile effort and passengers should stop asking them, insists the expert.
A seasoned British Airways attendant revealed on the Velloy website that most flight attendants would recommend asking at the check-in desk. The airline employee said: “Us flight attendants have no control. The people checking you in are the ones who can see the space’s available and have all the control. Even if there’s not a free upgrade they may be able to get you a discounted rate.”
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A Virgin Atlantic attendant added: “If you’re scared to ask, it’s always worth checking your flight online before you head to check-in. A quick airline search can tell you if business/first class has already sold out, so you know not to ask. That being said, don’t rely on this solely as people always forget to turn up.”
Timing could also play a crucial role in your upgrade quest, and being early at the check-in gate could increase your chances of being first in line for those elusive better seats, reports the Express.
Travelling during off-peak times could also increase your chances of snagging that coveted upgrade, with fewer passengers vying for premium seats.
An anonymous flight attendant dished out an additional insider tip, saying: “Sometimes with upgrades, it’s all about the early bird getting the worm – so it can be worth checking in as soon as you can before you fly. But this isn’t always the case.”
Meanwhile, a Virgin Atlantic long-haul employee said: “If you’re travelling in a couple you’ve got more of a chance of both being bumped, however, there’s still the likelihood you won’t be sitting together once your seat has been moved.”
The advice doesn’t stop there either as passengers are encouraged to be bold and just ask the question. While many airlines now fill up premium seats via apps and loyalty programmes well before boarding, there is always the chance of cancellations or no-shows on the day.
As one British Airways crew member succinctly said: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
