From now onwards there will no more be free upgrades to business class flights, media reports quoting travel industry analysts recently indicated.

Media reports said that major airlines have now set their eyes on boosting their extra revenue online and have decided to do away with free business class upgrades making it a thing of the past.

The reports said that there has been a significant increase in customers traveling with cheap tickets taking to online upgrades options by making blind bids for unfilled business class seats. This has enabled airlines to raise extra cash.

According to reports, Austrian Airlines has become the latest carrier to begin taking bids-for-beds. The airline has followed in the footsteps of Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways, El Al and Air New Zealand.

Austrian Airlines said that the customers booking cheap tickets for long-haul flights via Vienna would be invited to bid for an upgrade to the business class.