First, discreetly identify Airline Frequent Flyer members otherwise
Single adults seated next to young children/family group
3rd trimesster pregnant women, - saves moving them later in the flight when contractions start
OAPs with mobility problems - on safety grounds benefits from extra leg room
Anyone with an inside leg >34 in - extra leg room
Anyone over 200 lbs - more seat space
Airline shareholders
All would appreciate the extra consideration
Snorers, & fa*ters - optional
Once the flight has closed, flight income and costs are fixed. I suppose you could hold a mid-air auction for spare first class seats...... but all that is on offer is more space, less noise and a different movie.
I do not suggest free class upgrades on every flight, but if economy is full then the
PR value costs nothing, and even those left in econ will appreciate reduction in stress.
I have yet to see an econ pax mutiny just for an upgrade
Trains are somewhat different. A ticket does not guarantee a seat but Sir Peter Parker ex BR chairman said everyone was entitled.
Anyone without a seat would likely suffer more injury in an accident so it becomes a Health & Safety / Compensation Issue
On Virgin Lon-Mcr there are often 6 1st class & 6 standard carriages if 2nd class is full the central 1st class carriage is re-designated. Even then there are plenty of available seats in First.
On one trip the 0715 arrived before the 0655 and everyone boarded
Fights developed over seat reservations and a few of us migrated to First.
When the Ticket Inspector explained we were not entitled we said 'tell us where there is a 2nd class seat and we will move' No response. That is what I call a 'discretionary response to circumstance'