Is it possible to boost your chances of getting bumped from coach to business?

● Dress the part, says account executive Nanki Baweja, 25. “If you want to fly business class, then lose your track pants and start suiting up. It works! But of course it’s even better if you’re a frequent flyer member with gold or elite status.”

● Begging for an upgrade will get you nowhere, says Arlene Fleming, gate agent turned travel writer on about.com. “This happened on a flight where I was the gate agent, and the crew was getting fed up enough that two passengers were nearly kicked off the flight.”

● An anonymous flight attendant who posted a note on airliners.com agrees. “When people ask for a comp upgrade, I make sure that they sit in coach.”

● According to an article from msnbc.com, make sure the ticket you purchase is upgradeable. A hint: it’s not the cheapest fare.

● These will increase your chances: you’re traveling alone, you look decent, you’re a frequent flyer member, you smile.

● Check out Hflight.net, a forum for Bangkokians to sound off on air travel where members like to share stories about their success (or failure) in getting upgrades.