Plane shameless: Air crew reveal tactics used to sneak into business class

'It's not an invisibility cloak': Sitting in business class under a blanket is one of the most widely deployed tactics. Photo / James Lauritz, Getty Images

The difference between economy and business class on planes can be vast.

And for some the temptation to try and sneak into the posh cabin without having to stump up the huge fare is just too much.

Several flight attendants spoke out about passengers trying to snag unauthorised upgrades and it seems to be a common occurrence, with the methods deployed including hiding under a blanket and hoping for the best and claiming an upgrade was "doctor's orders".

Are there any methods that have duped the crew? The consensus among cabin crew seems to be that there is no foolproof tactic, but there are some out there claiming they get away with it constantly.

Like seriously? Am I going to risk my job for SIXTY dollars?

The sitting-in-business-class-under-a-blanket tactic is one of the most widely deployed by daring economy passengers. But as one stewardess said: "It's not an invisibility cloak." When she caught someone doing this she "asked him for his boarding pass and he asked me why he couldn't stay there if nobody is sitting there..."

Another cabin crew member recalled an economy passenger sitting in business class and when challenged said he was "lost".

Producing a doctor's note that says flying business is a medical requirement has also been tried, according to another flight attendant. Her method for dealing with this is to charge for the full amount and tell the passenger to reclaim it through health insurance.

One steward said a passenger popped his head through the economy/business curtain and asked an attendant in business class for a glass of wine in the hope of quaffing something extra tasty.

It didn't work.

Beyond the curtain: Are there any methods that have duped the crew into a free upgrade? Photo / Sebastiano Barbieri, Getty Images

Jay Robert, a cabin manager at an international airline and founder of A Fly Guy's Cabin Crew Lounge, told MailOnline Travel that some passengers think trying to sneak into business class is a fun game.

But he warned that cabin crew do not see it that way – and that the consequences can be serious.

He said: "A passenger might think it's a fun game trying to sneak into a higher class of service, but as crew, we are not amused. Those seats are the products we sell, and when you try to take something you didn't pay for, that's stealing.

"The most common punishment for upgrade theft is embarrassment. While making you take the walk of shame back to the cabin you paid to sit in, crew often talk very loudly so your fellow passengers know the reason you are being escorted back to your seat. We will also tell all the crew on the plane about your antics and put you on our 'watch list'. You will probably notice the crew's attitude towards you will change once you have been singled out from the rest as the annoying person who tried to sneak past the curtains.

"If you cross the wrong crew member you could be facing security and a gate agent ready to accept payment for the difference in fare you tried to dodge paying once you reach your destination."

He added: "Crew in business or first always know how many passengers they have and check their seat list many times during the services, so your addition to the workload is not likely to go unnoticed."

Indeed, one steward commenting on Jay's site said: "Once someone managed for the ground staff to tell him which [business class] seat was free and just went and sat there without paying the upgrade fee. Luckily I always check the seat map and noticed 1G was supposed to be empty. Went to double check with ground staff before challenging him but even then he kept claiming it was his seat and didn't want to show his boarding pass.

"At the end he admitted what happened and offered me $60 cash to let him sit there... like seriously? Am I going to risk my job for SIXTY dollars?'

Those seats are the products we sell, and when you try to take something you didn't pay for, that's stealing.

Sneaking into business class, then, should be seen as a foolish lost cause. After all, if you try it you could end up being not only humiliated, but in trouble with the law. As Mr Robert said, it's technically stealing.

Even so, there are some brazen passengers who just don't seem to care and claim to have been upgrading themselves for years in a Russian roulette game of chance - simply by hoping the cabin crew aren't on the ball.

For example, a commenter called "Penguin", contributing to a discussion on thepointsguy.com, said: 'In all honesty I have been doing this for years.

"My strategy is to ask at check in if there are upgrades available. Then ask again at the gate. If they say yes you know there are a few empty seats. I also download the app and know which seats are free based on the seating chart. Board with the last group, flash your ticket and sit.

"I've been caught once. It was after take off on a flight from SF to Sydney, turns out I took the pilot's seat (on long haul there are multiple pilots to prevent fatigue and they take shifts). The flight attendant asked to see my ticket and I admitted what I did. She just asked me to move. The worst part was someone had taken my seat in coach and I got stuck in a middle seat for the majority of the 14-hour flight."