Those familiar with a number of airlines fora on FT are used to complaints on friends and family upgrades which often annoy paying customers no end, and comparatively, BA fares quite well so far.

However, since the beginning of October, I have had two consecutive experiences on board which, in my view, do not reflect positively on BA. Both times, the CSD would come to a passengers sat in economy with a slightly shifty air, whisper something to them, and move them to a seat upfront. On both occasions, neither cabin was full and the seats they were on were neither 'contested' by others with the same seat number on their boarding part, nor broken (and indeed in one case someone came to sit on it).

In one of the two cases, I could not distinctly hear what was said but only a few words ("move", "front", "sorry about the wait"). On the other occasion, the person who was moved was sat next to me and I could hear the whole thing distinctly, and it was basically 'the captain has told me you should sit in the other section' (ie C). On neither occasion was the person dressed in uniform so I don't know if they were crew members travelling in 'civilian' clothes, friends of the captain or whatever else.

I don't want my comments misinterpreted - I'm one of those people who would have no issue with the idea of crew members travelling sitting in business class if it is the company's policy if this is what it was, no issue whatsoever. But I think that if it is the case, it should be handled at check in or at the gate and not onboard which I do not think gives a good impression (and indeed, everybody was staring and some people making comments). If it is 'friends and family' it is probably even more inadequate.

I was mostly surprised because I haven't seen this happen much on BA while I travel with them a lot so I was left a bit incredulous when I saw it happening twice in a row and even wondered if policies may have changed, but regardless of the substance, in terms of the appearances, I can only reiterate that it was, in my view, unfortunate to proceed with those type of onboard upgrades when there is clearly no particular reason (broken seat, double-assigned seat etc) to do so, so I thought I would mention it to ask if others have had the same experience or if I was just unlucky twice.