I have been operationally upgraded on 3 out of 4 transatlantic flights this year on LX. In all three cases, Y was completely full (every single seat taken) and there were even more Y pax waiting. C usually had a couple of seats free.
Twice, I was already upgraded at check-in, once I had already settled into my Y seat when the JFK station manager came and invited me to sit upfront.
It was always based on status (I'm only TCQM and must have picked flights with no TCGMs in Y).
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airOli, the Swiss Air Line.
