Sorry ch-usa I have to disagree with you.

Two weeks ago I did GVA-LON.

I did the E-checking as usual: my seat 26E (Y-class).
Then at the gate I asked if I could get a better seat: Sorry no seat available the flight is full. But when I wanted to give my tket to checkin, they asked if I was Mr... and then they gave me a new boarding pass: 3C (C-class).

So I did an E-checking and got upgraded. This is my experience.

kooks.