Why does Airlines not upgrade business class seats? Learn reasons

Last updated:March 18, 2025, 16:13 IST

Have you ever wondered why the seats in the airplane business class remain vacant, while the fruit flyers wait in the hope of upgrade? A user asked this question on Kora. In such a situation, let us know that the airline behind it …Read more

People fast from one place to another in the journey of airplane. Air travel is very expensive than train-bus, but people use it in a hurry. But business class seats in the plane are much more expensive than the economy class. Many times these seats remain vacant, but like trains, seats are not upgraded here. After all, Airlines companies often leave business class seats vacant and avoid upgrading the seats of their fruit flyers? Recently, a user asked this question on Kora. In such a situation, let us tell you that airlines companies do not do this just by chance, but there are many concrete reasons behind it. Let’s understand these reasons.

The biggest reason for not upgrading economy seats in business class is profit inside the plane. The airlines are not to fill every seat, but to earn maximum money. Business class tickets are 3 to 10 times more expensive than economy. These seats are specially kept for business passengers who book tickets at the last moment and are willing to pay a high price. If the fruit flyers are given an upgrade for free or less money, then this expensive tickets can get out of hand. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airlines prefer yields per seat and not to fill every seat.

Operational needs and pride of business class is also the reason
Airlines keep some business class seats in the reserve, so that they can avoid the sudden difficulties. Suppose the first flight was canceled. The second flight already has rides. If business class seats are vacant, then the VIP passenger of the first flight is seated in it. Then other passengers are given place in other seats. Many times when flight is canceled, the passenger of economy class gets business class seats in another flight. In such a situation, the airlines may have trouble if you give an upgrade in advance. Apart from this, the pride of business class is also a reason. Actually, the airlines offer it as a luxury experience, where big seats, delicious food and priority boarding are available. If the fruit flyers start getting upgrade again and again, then this specialty may fade. Famous travel expert Peter Greenberg once said on CBS News, “The value of business class is in its exclusiveness.” By making it common, its glow can be reduced.

These are also the reason for not upgrading!
Apart from the reasons mentioned above, there are many other reasons, due to which airlines companies avoid upgradation. For example, fruit flyers get miles (reward points), but the airlines want them to use them in advance to book tickets, not to upgrade at the last moment. The seats of the upgrade are limited and are given under special rules. Free upgrade does not give airlines a chance to sell cheap business tickets or take extra money with Miles. Apart from this, airlines also avoid upgrades in terms of system and fairness. It is not easy to decide who gets the upgrade, the most miles, the high status or someone else? Doing this repeatedly can make other loyal customers angry. However, sometimes airlines give upgrade, especially when the economy is filled and the expectation of selling business class seats is reduced. According to IATA’s 2023 data, on an average 82% seats were filled last year, yet many business class cabins remained empty. This means that the airlines prefer more profits and strategy than filling every seat.