We are in a time when airline companies constantly work to fill flights and fully optimize and improve routes. In this same period, air travelers still use time-tested tactics of asking nicely for an upgrade or a seat change.
Flight attendants have weighed in on this constant request travelers make. A veteran flight attendant, Patricia Green, took to social media and said the question “Can I have an upgrade?” is very common but annoying. Her reason for this is that flight attendants have limited power.
Destanie Armstrong, a 25-year-old flight attendant, emphasized on TikTok that requesting an upgrade to move to first class while on the flight is pointless. You must go via the gate agents’ pre-boarding process to request switches or upgrades.
When Armstrong got a question from one of her followers if flight attendants could get anyone upgraded to first class. Armstrong clarified that they never facilitate such changes. She explained that gate agents are responsible for handling requests for upgrades or modifications to cabins.
Green, in her post with Simple Flying, expresses similar thoughts. She explained that any upgrades must happen pre-boarding. Flight attendants do not have the right to upgrade passengers at their discretion. Seat changes may sometimes occur in midair owing to seat difficulties. Once inside the aircraft, seat swaps may sometimes happen if there is an issue; however, flight attendants are not authorized to make these changes out of a sense of duty.
Armstrong issued a warning against unauthorized upgrades. She pointed out that, to her airline, it is equivalent to stealing since customers do not pay for the upgrade or the ticket itself. It can even get flight attendants into trouble.
Armstrong clarified that first-class seats are often more full than the rest of the plane since customers who are eligible for upgrades would normally have obtained them before boarding. Thus, seats that seem empty often signify lateness or a trip to the restroom for the designated passenger.
She advised against using these strategies, pointing out their ineffectiveness. Also, it could potentially annoy the flight crew. Armstrong, however, reported seeing some passenger misbehaviors, from attempting to sneak into first class without the attendants noticing to using flattery or flirting to get an upgrade.
Armstrong continued to reveal that men had approached her on many occasions. They hit on her and flirt with her constantly. They believed she would give them a first-class upgrade once they liked her beauty.
Depending on the capacity of the aircraft, a flight attendant has little discretion over upgrades. Priority is given to paying customers or regular fliers with upgrade rights even when there is room available.
Still, there’s always someone trying their luck on every trip. Armstrong highlighted another problematic conduct shown by travelers in exit row seats who object when flight attendants ask them to move. These seats are often categorized as premium economy.
