I have a relatively untested theory that nicely mannered people get the upgrades

In a previous job I was responsible for organising travel and accommodation for groups attending conferences, some of which I also attended. As the group organiser, I would often be offered an upgrade on my accommodation.... which I enjoyed very much:)

I've been thinking. The times I've been upgraded, I was with my father. My father was very sweet and charming in a Paddington Bear kind of way. A very simple but entertaining soul. A story teller, eccentric, always in a blue blazer with his dinner jacket in a garment bag, and completely befuddled...which is probably where my notion of anxiety comes from. I rather think now he gave the impression of being lost and not the sort one could possibly leave to the wilds of economy class. Poor lovely dear wouldn't survive - and lol, that was true enough. I don't believe he'd have known how to open one of those sandwich boxes they give you these days on planes. And he certainly would not have understood what was inside. Lol. Perhaps your lady was like this?

This is so interesting.

When I think about myself, I'm always polite, but I'm very quiet and introverted, so in the brief amount of time it takes to check in, I wouldn't make an impression.

Although I've never been upgraded, I have frequently been given seats with vacant seats beside me. That even happened on the packed out flight home. It allowed me to stretch out and sleep.

Of course, that could be because I'm so repulsive, they don't want to put anyone beside me....lol