Operational Upgrade on Empty Flight
Jun 11, 2021, 10:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Abu Dhabi; Shanghai, Tokyo
Programs: Etihad Guest Gold
Posts: 5
Operational Upgrade on Empty Flight
I was upgraded at the AUH biz check-in counter (original ticket was class K) for a virtually empty flight.
I have been Gold with Etihad since 2018, flew 30~40 legs, but I never got an upgrade, even on very overbooked ones. So I was genuinely not expecting an upgrade to come out of the blue, especially when there are only less than 10 people flying economy on a 787 on this route!
Can someone tell me what the computer algorithm was thinking? I'm elated and confused simultaneously.
I have been Gold with Etihad since 2018, flew 30~40 legs, but I never got an upgrade, even on very overbooked ones. So I was genuinely not expecting an upgrade to come out of the blue, especially when there are only less than 10 people flying economy on a 787 on this route!
Can someone tell me what the computer algorithm was thinking? I'm elated and confused simultaneously.
Last edited by SpanishSamurai; Jun 12, 2021 at 2:15 am
Jun 12, 2021, 2:16 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Etihad Guest Platinum; Accor Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,356
Just flew in happily from AUH-NRT on Jun.11th as I was bumped at the AUH biz check-in counter (original ticket was class K) for a virtually empty flight.
I have been Gold with Etihad since 2018, flew 30~40 legs, but I never got an upgrade, even on very overbooked ones. So I was genuinely not expecting an upgrade to come out of the blue, especially when there are only less than 10 people flying economy on a 787!
Can someone tell me what the computer algorithm was thinking? I'm elated and confused simultaneously.
I have been Gold with Etihad since 2018, flew 30~40 legs, but I never got an upgrade, even on very overbooked ones. So I was genuinely not expecting an upgrade to come out of the blue, especially when there are only less than 10 people flying economy on a 787!
Can someone tell me what the computer algorithm was thinking? I'm elated and confused simultaneously.
Were there many in J and were you spaced evenly as in balanced for weight ? And don't forget balancing is also fore and aft not just side to side
Jun 12, 2021, 2:34 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
A 787 with ten people on board is not going to need weight balancing.
Jun 22, 2021, 1:48 am
#5
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: Qatar Airways, Etihad Guest, Emirates Skywards, Discovery Hotels, Bonvoy
Posts: 26
They are upgrading Gold/Platinum members on flights as long as there is availability. I have heard the same happen to many others, and in most cases they are contacted before departure to be informed of the upgrade which is due to their status.