Originally Posted by
eigenvector
they'd likely have to boot a paying passenger, so it would cost AC very real money.
And bad publicity.
"
Air Canada boots business class passenger to accommodate an Olympic athlete to celebrate his victory".
Gee, I'm fairly certain FT would erupt in flames and the general public would dislike Olympiads even more. Olympic athletes do not have a more honourable profession than veterans in my books, and I'm fairly confident others feel the same way. We don't offer veterans upgrades to business class for free, do we? If not as I surmise, Olympiads can pay to play or they can sit in the back of the bus.