How to get into business class by paying for economy

Many of us wouldn’t mind flying business class at economy prices, but only experienced travelers know that it’s possible.

But how? It’s very simple. There are several options...

• When you check in for a flight online (online registration), the airline may offer you an upgrade to business class. That is, pay a little extra and enjoy the comfort. As a rule, the total cost of an economy class ticket plus an upgrade to business class is much lower than the initial purchase of a business class ticket.

An upgrade is offered only if there are available seats in business class on the flight. The cost of the upgrade is not static and may change depending on the number of available seats and the time remaining until departure. If you didn’t upgrade during online check-in, for example, it was too expensive, you can try again at the self-service kiosk at the airport. Right before departure, the cost of an upgrade usually decreases.

• You can ask to be moved to business class at the check-in counter. If this does not contradict the airline’s policy, the employee will check for available seats and tell you the upgrade fee.

And now about the promised free options…

• Some economy class fares include a free upgrade in case of overbooking.

Overbooking is the practice of overselling tickets. For almost every flight, more tickets are sold than the aircraft can accommodate. Why is this done? The fact is that not all passengers who bought tickets show up for check-in, i.e., they cancel their trip. Another fairly common situation is when a one-way ticket costs more than a round-trip ticket. In this case, the passenger uses only one flight segment and does not show up for the second.

If you arrived at the airport, but at check-in you were told that economy class seats were oversold, and your fare includes a free upgrade, then you will be moved to business class for free. However, you shouldn’t constantly rely on overbooking, because if all seats on the plane are sold, including in business class, you will have to wait for the next flight. Overbooking often affects passengers who arrive last for check-in.

• If your flight is overbooked, and your fare does not include an upgrade, you will still be moved to business class, but with economy class service, i.e., food, drinks, allowed weight and amount of luggage, etc., will not differ from economy class passengers.