A flight attendant has revealed exactly how to get an upgrade as they debunked viral social media hacks. When travelling, many of us who pick economy seats wish we could sit in premium or business class, yet the price tag is pretty high.

To tackle this, travellers have been sharing their own tips and tricks on TikTok in the hopes of getting upgraded. These include dressing smart, handing out gifts to flight attendants and buying staff coffee. However, a Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member has settled the debate on the best route to get an upgraded seat.

Popular social media hacks settled

Dressing smart

Many accounts on social media suggest those hoping to bag a better seat should dress smart. The idea is that you are dressing for the cabin you want to be in.

However, the flight attendant shared: “The rumour we hear all the time is that if you dress really smart, you’ll get upgraded. It’s a fun idea, but honestly, it’s pretty outdated.

“Upgrades these days are all down to things like availability and booking details, not whether you’re wearing a blazer. Looking nice never hurts, of course, but it’s definitely not your golden ticket to a free seat in a higher cabin.”

Travellers have gone viral on social media for packing small gestures such as chocolates, coffee or gift cards to dish out to the staff on board. Some do this in the hopes of flattering the flight attendants to improve their chances of an upgrade.

The Virgin Atlantic crew member, who has been anonymised to protect their identity, explained: “Bringing treats for the crew is always such a kind surprise, and it genuinely brightens our day, but it won’t lead to free upgrades or anything like that.

“That said, when someone shows a little extra kindness, we naturally want to pass that warmth back in small, thoughtful ways.” They shared how they might offer extra snacks or a meal from another cabin to the passenger instead.

If you are travelling for a milestone occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, you might think you have a higher chance of securing an upgrade. But, the flight attendant admitted it “rarely happens”.

They said: “Upgrades are generally based on availability, loyalty status, and operational needs. That said, on very rare occasions, the crew onboard can make exceptions for genuinely special circumstances.”

Some travellers have taken to social media to say they got an upgrade by mentioning an injury. The flight attendant told Travel Insurance specialist InsureandGo that they can move passengers to make them more comfortable, but it isn’t an upgrade for luxury. Plus, you still need to meet the “fit to fly” requirements to be allowed to travel.

Frequent flyer programmes

Being a member does pay off, especially when it comes to upgrades. In fact, it is one of the common hacks that typically works. The flight attendant said: “We really do look after our top-tier members. If there are spare seats and the situation allows, we’ll always try to get our gold-card passengers into their preferred spot.”

How to really get an upgrade

The flight attendant has shared the best way to get an upgrade is to be willing to pay. Free upgrades are rare, so if you fork out a bit, you have a real chance of moving cabins.

The cheapest and most effective way to do this is to ask on board the plane. They shared: “If you’d like to upgrade once you’re on board, you can simply ask any member of the cabin crew. We’ll check the availability and the cost, and if you’re happy with the price, we can take payment and move you as soon as possible. Upgrading on board is often one of the cheapest options.”