airline · ShebaMiles
Ethiopian Airlines upgrades
Ethiopian Airlines offers an upgrade program: eligible passengers can place a bid to upgrade to a premium cabin (such as Premium Economy or Business), and are only charged if the bid is accepted. Availability depends on fare/cabin type, route, and timing.
Check your Ethiopian Airlines upgrade eligibility
See if your booking can be upgraded — enter your booking reference and last name in a secure form, right in the chat. Your details are never shared with the assistant.
Check eligibility →Products offered
- Bid UpgradeOpen page →
Offer an amount within a set range to upgrade to a higher cabin or cabin category. You're only charged if your bid is accepted — if it loses, there's no charge.
- Seat Blocker (Empty Seat)Open page →
Pay to keep the seat(s) next to you empty for more personal space — branded by carriers as Empty Seat, Neighbour-Free Seat, Double Comfort, Bubble Seat, and similar.
- Cabin upgrade paths
- Economy → Premium Economy · Economy → Business
- How to upgrade
- Visit Ethiopian Airlines's official upgrade page and enter your booking reference and last name to see available upgrade offers: https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/ca/book/manage/upgrade-to-cloud-nine
- Loyalty program
- ShebaMiles
From Ethiopian Airlines's own upgrade pages
“We use cookies to ensure a seamless user experience, analyze site performance, personalize content, and offer you special deals based on your interests. You have full control over your cookie settings and can update them at any time. For more information, please check our Privacy Policy Cookie Prefe…”
Source: ethiopianairlines.com · checked Sep 21, 2026
“MySheba Neighbour Free Seat, enjoy extra comfort Block the seat(s) next to you : Select Seats Important notice We’ll maintain your selected seat. However, due to operational reasons we may need to change your seat choice before departure or on the flight If you have already paid for your seat select…”
Source: ethiopianairlines.com · checked Sep 21, 2026
“aba Ethiopia See More Mandatory Health Declaration Requirement See More LATEST UPDATES See More Customs Declaration Notice See More Inclusive Travel Support See More Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries See More Ethiopian Airlines Network Expansion Updates See More Have you got medical needs? We have…”
Source: ethiopianairlines.com · checked Sep 21, 2026
Frequently asked
Does Ethiopian Airlines offer upgrades?
Ethiopian Airlines offers an upgrade program: eligible passengers can place a bid to upgrade to a premium cabin (such as Premium Economy or Business), and are only charged if the bid is accepted. Availability depends on fare/cabin type, route, and timing.
What upgrade options does Ethiopian Airlines offer?
Ethiopian Airlines offers Bid Upgrade, Seat Blocker (Empty Seat). Upgrade paths cover Economy → Premium Economy; Economy → Business.
How does Ethiopian Airlines's bid (offer) upgrade work?
You name an amount — within a range shown for your booking — to move up to a higher cabin. It's an offer, not a fixed price: you're only charged if Ethiopian Airlines accepts it. If your offer isn't accepted you pay nothing and keep your original seat.
How do I check if my Ethiopian Airlines booking can be upgraded?
Check your specific booking with Upgrade Agent: enter your booking reference and last name and you'll see the upgrade options and price ranges available on your flights — you don't need to dig through Ethiopian Airlines's website. Visit Ethiopian Airlines's official upgrade page and enter your booking reference and last name to see available upgrade offers: https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/ca/book/manage/upgrade-to-cloud-nine
Who is eligible for a Ethiopian Airlines upgrade?
Eligibility depends on your fare type, route, and how close to departure you are — not every fare or flight qualifies, and offers usually open within a window before departure. The reliable way to know is to check your specific booking rather than assume.
When am I charged for a Ethiopian Airlines upgrade?
Only if your offer is accepted. With bid upgrades the charge happens when the upgrade is confirmed — typically in the days before departure. If your offer isn't accepted, there's no charge.
How will I know if my Ethiopian Airlines upgrade offer was accepted?
Ethiopian Airlines notifies you — usually by email — if your offer is accepted, typically shortly before departure. Until then your original booking stands, and you can review your offer's status where you submitted it.
Can I change or cancel my Ethiopian Airlines upgrade offer?
A pending offer can usually be changed or cancelled any time before it's accepted, from the page where you submitted it. Once an offer is accepted and charged, the upgrade is confirmed.
How much does a Ethiopian Airlines upgrade cost?
There's no fixed price — you offer within a range shown for your booking, which varies by route, cabin, and demand. You choose where in that range to bid; higher offers can have a better chance of being accepted, though the exact acceptance formula isn't published.
Can I keep the seat next to me empty on Ethiopian Airlines?
Ethiopian Airlines offers an empty-seat option — you can offer to keep the adjacent seat (or seats) free for more space, subject to availability. As with bid upgrades, you're only charged if the request is granted.
Can I use ShebaMiles points or miles for a Ethiopian Airlines upgrade?
Ethiopian Airlines's loyalty program is ShebaMiles. Depending on the route and the offer shown on your booking, upgrades may be payable with points/miles as well as cash — the options available appear when you check your specific booking.
What cabins can I upgrade to on Ethiopian Airlines?
Upgrade paths on Ethiopian Airlines cover Economy → Premium Economy; Economy → Business. The exact options depend on your booked cabin and the specific flight.
Can I change or cancel my Ethiopian Airlines upgrade bid after submitting it?
Yes — an Ethiopian Airlines upgrade bid can be changed or cancelled any time until Ethiopian Airlines makes its decision. Once a bid is accepted it's final and your card is charged. To update or withdraw it, use Ethiopian Airlines's Manage My Booking / offer page, or check your booking here (booking ••••••e + last name) and I can help you modify or cancel it.
When is my card charged for a Ethiopian Airlines upgrade bid?
Only if your bid is accepted. Submitting an Ethiopian Airlines upgrade bid authorizes your card for the bid amount, but nothing is charged unless Ethiopian Airlines accepts it — if the bid is declined or expires, the authorization is released and you pay nothing, keeping your original cabin. If it's accepted, the card you provided is charged the amount you offered and your upgrade is confirmed.
When will I find out if my Ethiopian Airlines upgrade bid was accepted?
Ethiopian Airlines decides upgrade bids before your flight — often close to departure, once the operator knows how much cabin space is left. You'll be notified by email either way at the address on your offer. You don't need to keep checking, but you can see your bid's current status any time by checking your booking here (booking ••••••e + last name) or on Ethiopian Airlines's Manage My Booking page.