I flew BA back from Nice to Gatwick on Saturday morning, and got an upgrade from a machine. Checked in as per usual using the kiosk; the thing offered me "Aisle seat 2D". I got as far as poking around on screen looking for a window seat and wondering why the display didn't seem to show the wings before I twigged...
The flight was overbooked of course - perhaps if I'd checked in at a desk I'dve been offered a bump, which in the circs I'd probably have taken (wisely, as the flight was delayed nearly an hour at Nice and for about quarter of an hour outside Gatwick due to an emergency on the plane in front).
Not the first time I've had an upgrade (twice in a row, I got economy to First on Virgin. I nearly bought a lottery ticket after that), but definitely the first time it's issued forth from a machine.
I didn't even have to smile - although when I realised what had happened, I did anyway.
R