New Delhi, January 10: Passenger travelling with national carrier-Air India can now upgrade their economy ticket to a business class seat. According to reports, the upgrade is available for Air India nonstop flights among six metro cities of India and direct flights to the United States of America, Australia and Europe. According to a report by TOI, the upgrade facility isn't costly and is believed to cost up to 75 % lesser than the regular business class fare.

If the traveller wants to use the upgrade facility, he/she will first have to book an economy class ticket on the Air India and then proceed with the bidding process. For international flights, the bidding amount starts at about $450 per sector while that for business in Delhi-Mumbai sector is currently in the range of Rs 2,218 to Rs 6,720. Air India To Buy 100 iPads For Business Class Passengers in Long Flights After Entertainment Screens Stop Working. 

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Once you book your economy class ticket, the traveller will be asked for an upgrade.

  2. The user will then find an option for different amounts for placing bids. It must be noted that the bidding amount for international routes starts at about $450 per sector which makes it to Rs 32,000 at the current exchange rate in India.

  3. The traveller needs to select a bid amount and pay to avail the upgrade facility.

  4. The higher the bid, higher will be the chances of an upgrade.

According to a report by TOI, the bidding amount for a one-way upgrade on Delhi-London route currently is between Rs 13,609 and Rs 41,193. However, the report informs that the return business class flight on this sector begins at about Rs 2 lakh, while the economy starts at about Rs 55,000. The report says that the flier will come to know about the upgrade only about an hour before boarding aircraft. Once the seat is upgraded to business class, the individual will be entitled to a host of privileges. Air India Pilots Reject Airline's Decision to Revise Salary Structure, Fear 25% Pay Cut.

The TOI report further informs that if a passenger doesn’t get an upgrade, the bid amount will be refunded to him within five days of flight departure. The business class includes a host of facilities that include business class seat, gourmet meal along with amenity kit.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2019 01:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).