Have you been upgraded on Qantas or British Airways?

I have been fortunate to been upgraded on a number of flights, even though I do not fit the usual type for being upgraded.

Research was carried out and it turned out the most people were 45 - 55 year old business men wearing a suit.

I would suggest that you try the following;

Check in early

Join the airlines frequent flyer club

Dress some what smartly

Have some fun or a joke with the check in person

Make sure you have all the documentation ready and that you have what you are allowed in your hand luggage, so you are not emptying it in front of the check in desk and causing delays.

Ask if they is any chance of an upgrade, if they say no ask if you could put a request on and then be the last to board.

Dont expect to go from economy to first, this never happens, a ticket in economy on BA will be £500, a first class ticket will cost about £4000! You will be upgraded from your current class to the next one.

At all times be nice and have a smile, don't get angry if it doesn't happen, get some Bach's Rescue Remedy (which is brilliant!!) from the airside in Boots; relax and sleep.