Seat upgrades, are they worth booking?

Flying business class or first class can be a luxurious way to begin or end a holiday. There are many benefits to getting a bigger and better seat, especially if the extra room is essential. With aircrafts adding more classes to their flights, how do you know what seat to book and if it is worth the extra cost?

Advantages of booking non-economy class

Obviously, your get a larger seat pitch which is beneficial for long haul flights. There will be more legroom to stretch out in, not to mention less resentment for the person in front moving their chair back.  The service is superior to economy class as there are fewer passengers per flight attendant, you will get more food and drinks throughout the flight and have more opportunities to use the toilet without there being a constant line. You also get expedited boarding, more luggage allowances and are further away from the engine, giving you a better chance of a restful journey.

So, is it worth it?

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, there are obviously benefits to having more space and better access to the planes facilities. With more room to move around the cabin and additional support from the air stewards, it might be worth considering the additional cost when booking your holiday. 

A typical flight from London Heathrow to New York City JFK on British Airways can cost £735 (Economy), £1398 (Premium Economy) or £2951 (Business Class). As depicted in the pitch size chart, there is a big jump in both price and size between Economy Class and Premium Economy, and a huge jump to Business Class. The price jump and pitch size across airlines also vary, so it is worth comparing airlines when booking your trip to see what provides best value for money.

Premium Economy for Norwegian is up to 8 inches larger than British Airways Premium Economy and Standard Economy for Qatar Airways is almost the same pitch size as United Airlines Premium Economy. You shouldn’t pay too much for your flight upgrades if the difference in size is minimal.

Do you have to pay full price?

Getting a free upgrade is what everyone would like, and there are ways of getting bumped up to premium and business class completely free of charge or for a small fee. Sometimes it is literally the luck of the draw but there are ways to help you get a better seat.

1. Travel during quieter times – By travelling on bank holidays, when business users are less likely to fly, you stand a better chance of being upgraded. You will also find that the seats might be cheaper during this time too.
2. Loyalty – Unlike sticking with the same home or travel insurance provider, being loyal to your airline and signing up to their frequent flyer programme will improve your chances. 
3. Turn up early - Maximise your chances of getting an upgrade by arriving earlier as the airline may only have a few seats in premium available.
4. Be polite and dress smart – By acting politely and dressing appropriately for business class, you are more likely to be offered an upgrade by the check-in staff.

It’s completely up to you if you would like to pay for an upgrade, but if you do feel like making your holiday more luxurious or physically need more room, it’s worth considering. It does give you peace of mind that you will be receiving better service and have a comfortable seat for your long journey.

If you would like to book a holiday with us, we have a number of deals for any location or occasion and can look into the price difference between airline upgrades too. Call us now on 01243 213213 or visit holidays.payingtoomuch.com.