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
“Upgrade to Cloud Nine | Ethiopian Airlines Canada | CA Travelling to the European Union for non-EU nationals See More Guideline for Visa on Arrival at Addis Ababa Ethiopia See More Mandatory Health Declaration Requirement See More Check-In Guidelines for Ethiopian International Departures ex-YYZ (ET…”
Source: ethiopianairlines.com · checked Aug 3, 2026
“ime Read more Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries Read more Ethiopia Travel Health declaration form Read more Update on ticket rules to/from Tel Aviv Read more New notifications unavailable . EN Login | Signup . Notifications search
 Book a flight Check-in Loyalty Help Menu Book Explore Inf…”
Source: ethiopianairlines.com · checked Aug 3, 2026
“MySheba Neighbor Free Seat On-board WiFi Preferred Seat Priority Boarding Refund Protection Discover Addis Ababa E-SIM Service View All Add-on Services +6 more options On Board Services Cloud Nine Services Economy Services Inflight Entertainment  In-flight Meal Menu Tailored In-Flight Services…”
Source: ethiopianairlines.com · checked Aug 3, 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.