EASY UPGRADE FROM ECONOMY TO BUSINESS?

POST Whiteshadow DATE December 3, 18:45

We are travelling from Los Angeles (LAX) into Southeast Asia (open to which airport we fly into) around December 27. I was wondering which airlines are the most generous if the goal was to upgrade from economy to business by paying cash at the airport. Thanks!

millionsofmiles December 3, 19:06

REPLIES Thai Airways has a fixed price list for airport upgrades, depending on available space.

BernardLapointe December 4, 02:12

I did it with Eva Air a couple of years ago from San Francisco (SFO) to Taipei and Bangkok. The price was acceptable.

FrequentPR December 4, 05:41

In the other direction, Philippine Airlines has a Manila-LAX or SFO upgrade available for US$500. You could ring its US freecall number to see if the same deal is offered from LAX rather than just to it.

Whiteshadow December 4, 05:56

Thanks everyone. Is Philippines Airlines’ business class at the same level as Cathay or Malaysia Airlines? Do they offer lie flat seats?

FrequentPR December 4, 07:08

Philippine Airlines’ business class seats are excellent on the B777-300 (extended range) and close to lie-flat, but on the A343s they are old-style recliner seats. Do a ghost booking for the day in question using www. philippineairlines.com and then click on the flight number once the booking displays: this will show the aircraft type.

The service on this airline is usually very good

and the food excellent, particularly in business class. Manila is now a very busy airport and has pretty good links to the rest of Southeast Asia. Visiting a white sand island is easily achievable with Pal Express, Tigerair Philippines or Cebu Pacific (there are four terminals at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport).