[jimworcs]

mars,
If I was you, I would consider changing your routing so you don't go via London anymore. The new taxes, particularly on long-haul are onerous and frankly a rip off. Unless people begin avoiding London as a hub, and UK passengers start booking long haul flights via European capitals, nothing will force the government to drop these taxes. I intend to travel via Paris or Frankfurt when travelling to the US to avoid these taxes. They have been levied for supposedly "green" reasons, but in reality this is rubbish. If they wished to do this, they would impose higher taxes on short haul flights, many of which could be done by the far greener train. For long haul destinations, where people have no choice but to fly, there is no justification for the very high charges now imposed.

Not sure I agree that if there are free seats in a higher class, that it follows the airline should offer these free as upgrades. This can have the effect of irritating those who have paid for the service. Why would an airline risk irritating the customers who generate most of their income, by upgrading people who have not paid for a service?