Chart: Upgrading your seat for surprisingly little

Airline

Price, short haul

Price, medium haul

Price, long haul

Extra leg room

How far ahead to book?

Extra perks you get

Airtran

(business class)

$49 per segment over Y class fares only

$69 per segment over Y class fares

$99-$129 per segment over Y class fares

37 inches, 2 by 2 seating

At time of check in (web or at airport)

1^st and 2^nd checked bag fees waived, priority boarding, complimentary cocktails

Spirit

(Big Front Seat)

Depends on route and time of purchase, but starts at approx. $25 over any fare

Depends on route and time of purchase

Depends on route and time of purchase

36 inches, 2 by 2 seating

At time of booking or at gate

Priority boarding

US Airways

(first class or Envoy [international business] Class)

Varies depending on route but can range from as little as $50 each way for a first class upgrade on short domestic routes to $500 on international fares; offered on any fare

Varies depending on route but can range from as little as $50 for a first class upgrade on short domestic routes to $500 on international fares

Varies depending on route but can range from as little as $50 for a first class upgrade on short domestic routes to $500 on international fares

Depends on aircraft

24 hours before departure

Full first class service (meals, extra room, free drinks, priority boarding)

Virgin America (first class)

$70 on any fare

$110

$270

55 inches

6 hours before departure (used to be 24 hours)

Full first class service