Are there airlines that offer upgrades on-board?
You can always request an upgrade to a higher class before you board, you can use your miles or pay and get your ticket upgraded to business/premium class then you will be issued a new boarding pass.
However, are there any airlines that provide that after boarding? like you call a flight attendant, request an upgrade, pay for it somehow, and then get upgraded on-spot?
Please note, I am talking about paid upgrades.
Best Answer
United allows cabin crew to sell "upgrades" to Economy Plus (not technically an upgrade, since Economy Plus is still the economy class, just with more legroom) from their handheld devices. Source:
If passengers want to upgrade to economy plus during boarding, for example, Bingochea can easily accommodate the request using a proprietary app on his handheld device called Link.
The devices they use take credit cards, same way they sell food and drinks. I'm not sure whether they can do real upgrades to other cabin classes though.
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Can you ask for an upgrade on the plane?
Flight upgrades are difficult to get and are even more impossible to attain if you don't ask for them in the first place. Simply and politely ask for one and remember to smile and be positive--flight attendants and employees won't take too kindly to any sense of entitlement you may give off.How can I get a free upgrade on my flight?
How to Score a Free Upgrade to Business ClassIs it cheaper to upgrade on board?
Usually, the closer it is to departure, the cheaper the upgrade discounts will get. That said, you have to find a balance somewhere in-between, because the closer it is to departure, the less likely it is that you'll be offered an upgrade.How do airlines decide who gets upgraded?
Airlines say it's strictly by the book: Loyal customers are rewarded based on their status in frequent flyer programs. But some flyers insist that once in a while, they get upgraded even when they've bought the cheapest seat.how to get an airline upgrade | budget travel tricks
More answers regarding are there airlines that offer upgrades on-board?
Answer 2
The other day Lufthansa was selling Premium Economy upgrades after the door was closed. The price was ridiculous, though, and no one went for it.
Answer 3
Edelweiss allows you to upgrade from Economy to Business after boarding the plane. At least for short-haul flights, subject to seat availability. Payment can be done through credit card or debit card.
This even works, if catering does not allow for the +1 on the manifest, which it normally does. I don't know if it would work on long-haul flights, since I never found myself in that situation.
Couldn't find the official confirmation on this. But I've done it a couple of times for flights between ZRH and CTA, where buying P/Z/C/D tickets 2-3 hrs beforehand was not possible anymore. Or if I wanted to upgrade a fellow traveler to fly with me.
In the past other airlines allowed me to pay a fixed fee on board to upgrade, but I haven't really flown with most of them in quite a while.
Answer 4
Air France/KLM allows upgrades on board by speaking to a flight attendant:
UPGRADE LAST MINUTE ON BOARD
You can even upgrade your cabin after boarding, subject to availability.
- Eligible airlines: Air France and KLM marketed and operated flights
- Available payment methods: Miles or just cash
- How to request: on board
Answer 5
Scoot (Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary) used to offer paid in-flight upgrades, but this was suspended in June 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.
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