Airline gives free upgrades to ‘nice’ passengers

Young woman receiving a bunch of wild flowers on a date
By Daisy Melwani


If you’re like us, you’ve tried every trick in the book to score a free upgrade – we carry stacks of business cards to flaunt, but alas, never seem to get the approval to turn left.

But finally, there’s an easier way and all you need to do is what your mother keeps harping on about – be nice!

UK-based low-cost airline Monarch are offering customers free upgrades simply for being nice when booking as part of a year-long campaign to promote “traditional values of chivalry, courtesy and respect”.

The way it works is if you’re nice, selected customers will be rewarded for polite behaviour with the holy grail of free perks – a seat upgrade. Subject to availability, Monarch customer services staff reached via phone are allowed to give away a certain amount of the free upgrades to extra leg room seats and priority check in every week.

The discretionary free upgrades include extra leg room seats – offering up to 15% more space and with a value of over £100 (for two people) – as well as priority check in.

Also, upgrades will be only offered to passengers who want to buy tickets by phone or require to talk to someone at the airline. Anyone who transacts with the airline online only or via a travel agent will not qualify for the upgrades.

The airline and holiday company is reportedly following in the footsteps of UK sandwich shop, Pret a Manger, to make the incentive part of booking policy. Staff at the restaurant chain reportedly gave away 20,000 free drinks each week as random acts of kindness to customers.

It also comes after a Monarch study linked being nice to an increase in happiness, perceived health and success (see video below).

“We are often described as the nicer airline and holiday company and we pride ourselves on this.  Our customer services staff are already nice – now they can reward those who are positively nice to them too,” Nils Christy, Chief Operating Officer at Monarch said.

Nils continued: “Everyone benefits from niceness. Planes depart more punctually, staff and customers are happier and it improves the travelling experience for everyone.”

Latest News