I forgot to ask if they changed the upgrade policy back to status based, but this flight gives me hope. Flex ticket, on a 2 class plane on the Saturday night ending a week of Saudi school holidays, so I'm guessing lots of flex-plus tickets sold based on what I've seen in the past.

Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-BAH
Flight number: EK833
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 05 Feb
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 75,000
Skywards miles balance: 124,000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1