How Do I Upgrade to Business or First Class on British Airways?

British Airways, the second-largest airline in the United Kingdom, is a full-service global airline with an extensive global route network that connects passengers with centrally located airports worldwide. British Airways has a loyalty reward program, where customers may sign up for membership to collect reward points when they fly, take a holiday, rent a car, or use hotel stay services with the airline or its partners.

The reward points are known as Avios. The airline appreciates the need for its customers to upgrade from economy to business class or business to first class on existing bookings as well as new flights as they book.

You may upgrade your one-way or return flight and enjoy the benefits associated with flying business and first-class, thus enhancing your overall travel experience with British Airways.

Some of the benefits include improved luggage capacity, great drinks, and food offerings, skipping queues at the airport, relaxing in luxurious lounges before boarding, and spacious suites equipped for electronic laptops and a glass of champagne.

Here's you can upgrade to business or first class on British Airways using cash or Avios:

Upgrade an existing booking

• Visit the British Airways website (britishairways.com)
• Ensure that you have any of these login details Executive Club membership number, username, or registered email address, and the appropriate password
• Enter your details, outlined above, in the boxes at the top right-hand corner of the homepage screen and click on the ''Login tab
• Click on 'Manage My Booking,' and enter your booking reference number to select your flight
• Click on 'Upgrade this flight with Avios.'
• Pay the required Avios alongside new taxes and fees, where applicable, and the airline will confirm your upgrade

Upgrade a new flight as you book

• Follow the procedure described above to log in
• From the British Airways homepage, place the cursor on the 'Book' tab
• Navigate to 'Flights' on the resulting drop-down menu, and choose 'Book a flight with Avios'
• Enter your city origin, destinations, departure, and return dates. Remember to check the 'One way only' box if you're booking a one-way flight
• Choose the class you want to upgrade from, enter the number of your travel companions, and click on 'Get flights.' The system will display the number of premium economy, business, and first class seats available for upgrade.
• Confirm that you've entered the correct details, and click on 'Continue' to complete the booking.

You should note that your original purchase should be made in cash to upgrade to business or first class on British Airways using Avios. Also, you can always upgrade any British Airways ticket you booked with cash using more cash, and if a seat is still available for sale; however, it's usually expensive.

Alternative method

You can contact the British Airways customer service team to assist you in upgrading to business or first class on British Airways. You could also log on to your booking using the British Airways mobile app and look for a 'special offer' price to upgrade using cash. Unless you get an offer, you'll pay the full difference in fare to upgrade.