I have a dream of one day scoring a free upgrade to business class on a long-haul flight. I am yet to realise this dream. But just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean I don’t try every time I board a plane.
Different people have their idea of what the best seat is. Some like to be at the front so they can disembark first. Some like a window seat so they can admire the clouds and lean on the window to sleep. Me, I will always take an aisle seat. I hate feeling restricted in a window seat, needing to ask others to move if I want to get out, or having to literally climb over the sleeping person next to me for a bathroom break during a long-haul flight.
So when I arrive at the check-in counter, not matter if I’m flying international or domestic, I have a routine. No one gives anything away for free, if you want something you need to ask for it.
My routine begins when I’m waiting in the queue. The biggest flaw many passengers have is impatience. Don’t be impatient, the line will move when it moves. The airline check-in staff can see the line of people directly in front of them, they know everyone wants the line to move faster. So don’t be the person pacing back and forth, constantly looking at your watch, becoming irritated with the people moving slowly in front of you. If you’re running late for your flight the staff will call you forward, otherwise just be patient.
When I do reach the check-in counter I always smile and say hello, handing over my passport or ID that’s ready in my hand. I let the attendant do whatever it is they need to do and put my checked baggage on the scale. If it’s an international flight I then politely ask the check-in attendant if there are any upgrades available. I already know what their response will be:
“Do you mean you would like to pay for an upgrade?”
“No,” I reply with a smile, “I was just wondering if there were any free upgrades available, it can’t hurt to ask. Are there any exit seats?”
This is when the conversation can take a lucky turn. “As a matter of fact I do have an exit seat available near the galley, would you like to take that?”
“Yes that would be fantastic, thank you,” I respond with gratitude and a smile.
A free exit seat upgrade is a great score no matter if you’re traveling domestic or international. Additional leg room and often close proximity to the galley for fast drinks and snacks can make a 15 hour flight a million times better.
When flying from Milan to Manhattan I was lucky enough to not only get a galley exit seat, but my travel agent had secretly arrange a bon voyage cake for me!
If however you’re not lucky enough to be assigned an exit seat, don’t be fazed. Ask for your preferred seat.
“Okay as there aren’t any exit seats available could I possibly have an aisle seat please?”
Again speak with politeness constantly. The check-in attendants deal with many rude, obnoxious and difficult passengers, so it’s definitely not going to hurt your chances to be polite. On my recent flight from Santiago to Sydney I had been through my whole routine and reached the point of requesting an aisle seat. As I usually travel alone I assume it’s easier for attendants to place me in my preferred seat compared to two or more people traveling together. When I asked, the check-in attendant let me know that my seat had already been assigned but she could make a phone call to reassign me to an aisle seat, however it would be in the centre row. I had no problem with that, an aisle seat in the centre of the plane to me is better than a window, and I thanked her for the adjustment.
Later when I boarded the plane I was thrilled to discover that she had placed me in an aisle seat in an empty row at the back of the plane. I don’t know if it was because of my politeness, or because I had worked my way through the list of upgrade possibilities, or if that was the only aisle seat available. But it didn’t matter because for the 14 hour flight to Sydney I was able to lift the armrests of the empty three seats next to me, stretch my body out and get a few hours of sleep. Almost as good as business class!
So the next time you’re boarding a flight, ask for an upgrade, but keep your expectations in check. Often you’ll be surprised at what you get, as long as you remain friendly, polite and grateful no matter what.
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