This is a link to Air Canada's Last Minute Upgrade Program. It doesn't give you any information on cost, but it does indicate how it works:

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/before/upgradeslastminutes.html

I wouldn't be surprised if your ticket (purchased as part of a package) is either ineligible for upgrade or subject to a prohibitively expensive price (e.g., $1000 or more per transatlantic segment per person) to upgrade.

I went to Costa Rica with a tour group, and I was told upgrades were unavailable. The explanation was that the airline (USAir) gave the group discounted seats that were ineligible for upgrade..........this explained why the seven of us were in middle seats scattered all over the plane!

You can certainly ask when you check in. The worst they can do is tell you NO.

Thanks - will check out the link and as you say...it never hurs to ask!

I would have to agree with frogoutofwater. If you look at the fine print on your ticket, it probably says something like "shut up and sit down. Be quiet."

I have been approached by agents at the ticket counter for spot one way upgrades. Price ranges were $800-$1200. I think I was only approached because business class was almost empty. It also might have been my elite status at the time.

Many fares are upgradable if you pay enough. If you want to make sure you're sitting in front, you should do that prior. Or contact the tour company to have them do it for you. As for upgrade at the airport, only some airlines do it, not sure about AC. And only on certain flights with availability. Even when they are offered, cost can vary depends how much they think they can get enough passengers to upgrade.

Thanks for the replies...

@rkkawa: ...we were offered a business class option for the tour but it was over $5,000 per person...too rich for us. I'm most interested in the transatlantic departure leg as that is when jet lag hits me the most. Since the tour offered a business class option originally, I assumed (perhaps wrongly) that they would not be interested in assisting us with a one way upgrade. I will check with them.

Since the day of travel would be Air Canada's "last opportunity" to make more $$ on the flight I thought inquiring at check in might be our best option.

@Rastaguytoday: ..I'll check the fine print when tickets are issued....unfortunately we aren't elite status (or even remotely close)....just retirees on a "bucket list" trip.

Beachnut11,

It's 10-13 hours at the most. Most of us can survive sitting at the back of the plane.

I once had a gate agent "upgrade" me to an exit row, only to find I was next to the lavatory. BTW: it was a 13 hour flight from Taiwan. People lining up for its use would step on my feet an legs with alarming regularity.