This new option will cost the customer between $30 AUD and $65 AUD (£17.72 and £38.39) and the trial is being tested across six domestic routes over the next 6 weeks.

For planes that still have seats available for purchase, passengers already travelling on this aircraft will receive an email 48 hours before departure detailing this upgrade option. However, if the plane then becomes fully booked the passengers’ upgrade is taken away and their money is refunded. The routes that are part of the pilot program range from 90 minutes to four hours long, travelandleisure.com reports.

Qantas joins several other airlines that have also introduced similar upgrade options. Etihad allows passengers to book up to 3 empty neighbouring seats 72 hours before flights, and last year Emirates started giving their customers the option to purchase empty seats at the airport check-in.

Air New Zealand has taken its upgrade option further with their “Skycouch” offering involving the row of economy seats turning into a couch after take-off. The airline also has plans to introduce new upgrades in the coming years such as “Economy Skynest” - a sleeping pod with 6 full-length beds that passengers can book in timed increments.