Originally Posted by
Joe_EK
There seems to be 3 op-up location possibilities in general. At check-in. At the lounge. At the gate.
I think the main thing that determines where you will be checked in is probably the anticipated load-factor. ex-JNB they often op-up at check in when Y is heavily overbooked and J is wide open.
ex-DXB is probably a different kettle of fish because the load factors are probaby highly variable up until t-75 (and possibly beyond) not only because of no-shows, but also different incoming flights with connecting pax. Hence upgrades are more likely in the lounge or at the gate.
There is a fourth possibilitiy though. JED. probably unique. you still have a chance of being op-uped once your on-board. I have seen musical chairs on the tarmac a good few times :-)
If you have any EK status I think your chances of being denied check-in are fairly slim unless you actually try to check-in late.
Actually, now that you mention it, I can't think that I have ever been upgraded on check-in at DXB... always in the lounge or at the gate.
At CPH, I get it when I check in on-line around T-6hrs (the time the incoming plane leaves DXB).
Just checked in on-line for the CPH-DXB flight tomorrow morning. ExpertFlyer shows 1 seat in J left... everything else is full. The EK check-in seat map shows no empty seats in Y. Fingers crossed for the morning!