The end of the free upgrade: the great airline business upgrade auction is ready for take-off
The economy passenger’s dream ticket – a free upgrade at the departure gate – now looks endangered. Online upgrade auctions that allow travellers with cheap tickets to make blind bids for unfilled business class seats are on the rise, as airlines across the world catch on to the innovative new way of making extra cash. Last week Austrian Airlines became the latest carrier to start taking bids-for-beds, following in the footsteps of Air New Zealand, El Al of Israel, Etihad of Abu Dhabi and Virgin Atlantic. In future, passengers buying cheap tickets for long-haul flights via Vienna are invited to bid for an upgrade to the business class cabin, which boasts 2 metre-long flat beds. If successful, they also get fast-track security, access to business lounges and improved catering. The technology behind the bidding services has been developed by American software developer, Plusgrade, which claims it is in talks with several other carriers about offering the facili...