They say if you don't ask, you don't get, so it's understandable when people try their luck at getting a better seat for free when flying. And whether you've done it yourself or simply been the unlucky customer behind the guy who's delaying your check-in process while trying to score an upgrade, most of us have been around airline staff being charmed for perks.
So Emirates' latest commercial has a laugh at some of the over-the-top tricks travelers might use when taking to the skies on ahem… other airlines. Without naming names, the new advert shows a stoney-faced employee tired of dealing with people's attempts – from performing hypnosis, to serenading her, to making her feel sorry for them because it's a special occasion.
Instead, the Dubai-based airline, which was voted Best Economy Class according to the 2017 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards, recommends flying Economy with them for an experience that rivals even better cabins with alternative brands.
"Don't upgrade your seat, upgrade your airline. Fly Emirates," the tagline at the end of the commercial says.
"Emirates' Economy Class is well known for being a true, full-service product. We offer excellent value for money, with world-class inflight entertainment in every seat, full course gourmet meals, generous free baggage allowances, and great service," Boutros Boutros, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, says.
"In today's environment where others are stripping amenities from their cabins and shrinking legroom, we believe travelers can relate to the desperate lengths that some people might go to, in order to get their seat upgraded. Our message is simple – why try so hard to upgrade your seat when you can fly Emirates instead?"
Watch the various funny scenarios, below.