After many years of research and suffering, I have acquired my own scheme for stepping on and off the plane with a smile on my face. In an ideal world, we would all be able to afford first class. We'd have reclining seats, ample leg room and steak dinners. We'd have hot towels and champagne. But alas, just being able to pay for a dream trip in coach is often stretching the proverbial purse strings and the extravagance of first class is merely a pipe dream.
Airlines often overbook their planes to ensure that they are filled to capacity on every flight.
Thus substantially reducing losses incurred due to empty seats. Usually, this technique works, but sometimes, it backfires, leaving travellers stranded and unhappy. On occasion, these same airlines will offer to upgrade passengers to first class in order to free up more coach seats. You could be one of these passengers, if you plan in advance. Ticketing agents will help those who help themselves.