I fly quite a bit in the U.S. but do almost no overseas flying. That's going to change this Oct, when I take BA Y IAD-LHR-CPH. I had some questions I'm hoping those experienced at flying BA can answer:

- Does BA offer upgrades at a reduced price when you check in (if available, of course)? If so, how much is it? How often are upgrades outside of the busy summer months available?
- If I purchase seat selection and then purchase an upgrade when I check in (of course, if available), will I be refunded my original seat selection charge? If so, is it automatic, or do I have to contact customer service?
- I and my companion will both have CPAPs. On U.S. domestic flights, my CPAP bag does not count as my carry-on or small item... I looked on the BA website, and it appears that's the case as well, but would like to make sure.
- We're going to be on a 747-400 both ways between IAD - LHR. On Seatguru, it shows that Y starts at row 28, yet the BA seat map starts in the next section (row 39)... Why is this, and is there any way to book in the 28-38 section?

Many thanks in advance!

BA has had three versions of the 747-400 but they're being retired as BA moves to more A380s, 777s and 787s for their longhaul routes. The one you'll likely be on is shown as "V3" on SeatGuru; the rows in front of row 39 are World Traveller Plus, the premium economy section that any "upgrade" you get would involve. (You won't be offered an upgrade to business class, only to WT+.)

Upgrades at check-in are sometimes offered, and the agents at the airport have wide discretion on how to price them. Some people have got them for $200 - $300, but on other days it's higher. Remember, they're one-way upgrades only, and I would definitely look at just buying WT+ in the first place and see if the difference in total out-of-pocket, including the uncertainty factor, is important to you. I will note too that IAD-LHR is a pretty short flight (LHR-IAD is longer due to headwinds) so you also need to decide on benefit/cost issues.

If you've prepaid for seat selection you'd be credited against any seat reservation cost in the case of an upgrade, but you won't get a refund. Be mindful that "check-in" upgrades are space-available, and you probably wouldn't have much choice, if any, on seat location in that scenario. (You'd get what's available at the last minute, period.)

Also, by upgrading to WT+ on the return, you'll be liable for the higher tier of UK Air Passenger Duty, the UK's expensive departure tax. That would be payable on top of the upgrade cost itself. The APD for economy is £75; it's twice that for any cabin higher than economy, including WT+.

CPAP is an allowed "extra" carry-on.

Hi Gardyloo: Many thanks for the detailed reply and apologies for the tardiness in my response. Had some followups:

- Actually, according to Seatguru, we'll be flying both ways between IAD - LHR on the v.1 747-400, hence my original question concerning booking seats in the 28-38 section. I'll call BA & ask them directly.

- Thanks for the info re: Y+. As we are both football player builds, to us, Y+ is definitely worth the extra $$. When flying in the U.S., when you check in online 24hrs in advance, or when you check in using th kiosk at the airport, if an upgrade is available, it'll ask you. However, from your response, I'm gathering we'd have to go to the ticket counter at check-in and ask an agent directly... Can you pls. confirm? And would we be liable for that ridiculous departure tax even though we are just transiting through LHR from CPH both ways?

I don't know your travel dates, so couldn't look up the plane for your precise days; instead I looked on Expert Flyer, a subscription service that scrapes the GDS sites and shows seat availability. For the days I looked (a couple of weeks in mid-October) the rows in front of row 38 were all WT+. If the BA website shows actual coach in front of you for those days, so be it.

BA often offers "upgrade" options as an upsell option on their website for passengers who have already bought WT tickets. I was talking about day-of-flight upgrades as that's what I thought you were talking about. For the website based upgrades, the price is what BA says. For the day-of-flight upgrades it's whatever the station people decide it will be.

No you won't pay APD at all if you're transiting the UK with less than 24h between arriving and departing if both segments are on the same ticket.