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Original poster

To hate this reply to 'have a safe flight'?!

109 replies

Rizzo8 · 07/07/2024 14:34

So my partner often travels for work. I always wish him a safe flight and he never said anything apart from thanks. When I travel he does the same.

Well I wished him a safe flight today and he responded: 'It will be or won't be. Leaving soon anyway.'

What the hell? We are from different countries so sometimes have cultural 'what the hecks' but this is a strange reply right?!

OP posts:
Riapia · 07/07/2024 19:07

OP, it’s you that will be affected if the plane crashes, he will be dead and know nothing about it.
So it’s just in your interests that he has a safe flight, your the one that will be left to mourn.

combinationpadlock · 07/07/2024 18:54

OrwellianTimes · 07/07/2024 14:35

”have a safe flight” would wind me up to be honest and make me anxious.

“have a good flight” would be better.

I agree, "have a safe flight" is a horrible thing to say.

Helen1625 · 07/07/2024 18:52

Rizzo8 · 07/07/2024 14:39

I'm really surprised by these replies. A revelation!

Have definitely had lots of people wish me a safe flight and thought nothing further.

As someone who really doesn't like flying, when someone says 'have a safe flight' I wonder 'why - are you saying it might not be safe?' 😆

turnipsarelush · 07/07/2024 18:41

Rizzo8 · 07/07/2024 14:36

Really @OrwellianTimes ?

Would never cross my mind someone would feel that way to such a message

Yeah it would me too. There's nothing he can do to make it a safe flight unless he's the pilot

earlymorningcurlewcall · 07/07/2024 18:39

His answer is something I'd say, too. It's a binary outcome :)

potionsmaster · 07/07/2024 18:19

Don't worry about it - if he's not an anxious flier anyway then I doubt it will have made him anxious. It wouldn't remotely make me anxious, but I have to admit I'd find it mildly irritating, as it's kind of inane but simultaneously doom-laden ('hope you don't die darling!'). Whereas 'have a good trip' is much more sensible (as trips are always spread out on a spectrum of good to bad).

Dampshinygrass · 07/07/2024 18:18

I go for “hope you have a comfortable flight”. Covers everything from mundane travel discomfort to severe turbulence. Everyone hopes they have a comfy flight!

OrwellianTimes · 07/07/2024 17:46

Rizzo8 · 07/07/2024 17:18

I feel quite bad now.

I hate to think I made his day worse by causing him anxiety before he flies. Ugh.

Don’t overthink it - he’s just letting you know he doesn’t like it. Switch to “good journey” and don’t waste any more thinking about it, it’s clear you’re being nice and just showing your love for him.

dutysuite · 07/07/2024 17:20

There’s worse things to get worked up about. How do you live each day with all these niggling issues?

AssortedLabels · 07/07/2024 17:20

He’s probably just making the point that other than putting on his seatbelt, he has very little control over whether the flight is safe or not.

Original poster
Rizzo8 · 07/07/2024 17:18

I feel quite bad now.

I hate to think I made his day worse by causing him anxiety before he flies. Ugh.

OP posts:
Boutonnière · 07/07/2024 17:17

My DH used to travel hugely for business, as did I at one time, and I would wish him a good trip or journey as a farewell - it covers all the boring grind of travel from airport queues, flight delays, weather, what seat neighbours are like, getting a taxi at the other end, the actual point of the meetings etc. ‘Safe flight’ has got an element of anxiety about it and I would have got fed up with that being highlighted just before I went off.

Original poster
Rizzo8 · 07/07/2024 17:10

I grew up in a family where we always said safe flight. I honestly never questioned it.

This has been quite the education.

OP posts:
protectoroftherealm · 07/07/2024 17:08

He's right though, isn't he?! He's going to get on board and it's either going to be safe or it isn't!

Wogglefoot · 07/07/2024 17:07

I think his response indicates he's mildly annoyed at you keep telling him to do something he has no control over.

I'd say "have a good trip".

Dontliketheheat · 07/07/2024 17:06

My DH flies regularly for work - always has as did my DF . I would never have wished either of them a safe flight . It’s outside their control . I always tell DH I love him and wait for the what’s app saying he’s landed

RichardsGear · 07/07/2024 17:02

Maybe he's sick of you saying it especially if he flies frequently. I mean, he's right, isn't he?!

I wouldn't take offence, just don't say it next time.

sentfrmmyiphone · 07/07/2024 17:00

??? does it matter how he replied?

ComoSeDicePepinoEnIngles · 07/07/2024 17:00

I agree that ''have a good flight!'' said cheerfully is better than a somber ''have a safe flight''. Yikes.

Iffx · 07/07/2024 16:58

OrwellianTimes · 07/07/2024 14:35

”have a safe flight” would wind me up to be honest and make me anxious.

“have a good flight” would be better.

Agree with this. It seems a very pointless and aggravating phrase.

RawBloomers · 07/07/2024 16:56

I don’t particularly like the phrase but I couldn’t get worked up by someone wishing me a safe flight. It’s a fairly pointless sentiment but it’s a bit of verbal, social lubrication, just one of those things intended to ease parting.

But I think you’re unreasonable to get upset(annoyed? A bit miffed?) at the response. No one owes you a cookie cutter response to a cookie cutter phrase. If someone veers from the script it’s a sign that you need to be a bit more genuine and not fall back on cliches. If my DH had done something like that it would be an indication he was a bit more stressed than normal and might appreciate either a reminder I loved him or a bit of space to calm himself down.

Dpresst · 07/07/2024 16:34

Why do people get so hung up on pointless things like this?

Marmadoodle · 07/07/2024 16:23

I don’t think the issue is about the content of the message per se. His response implies contempt for you. Regardless of your wording, and empathetic partner would understand that the intention is a good on and not feel the need to snap back in response. Like he’s fed up and has had enough of you. I know the feeling, from both sides. How is the rest of your relationship?

StrawberrySquash · 07/07/2024 16:22

He's probably mildly annoyed because you keep saying the one phrase. It's fine but I could see myself getting a bit annoyed by it after a while.

Orangeandgold · 07/07/2024 16:18

Well his response is true.

It either will be or won’t be. Most of us have this thought when we get on a plane - it’s an unreal experience even though we have normalised it.

but flights are super safe so he will be fine x

Maybe he is having an off day.

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