I have seen many comments like this, but I think there are a lot of what-if scenarios to consider. Is it necessary for that person to work straight from the flight? It could be cheaper to fly them in the night before, and pay for an extra night in the hotel. Is this person expected to work while on the plane? If not, all that extra space mat not be necessary. How often is the person expected to travel? If this employee is hopping around the country, especially for a multi-city trip, perhaps the upgrade is warranted, since they may not be able to settle in at anyone location very long. In the end, I hate to see hard rules. A manager should have some discretion to adapt to the situation and the employee. At the same time, I consider upgrades like this a perk. An employee (executive or otherwise) should not expect to travel this way, and be prepared to justify the cost if they ask.