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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To miss refined air travel?

324 replies

BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:05

It's great everyone can travel. I'm sure. But I grew up travelling in airport lounges and flight decks where people dressed for the occasion.

I was in the Gatwick BA first class lounge this morning for a long weekend with DP and DC and goodness it was horrendous. Tracksuits, flipflops, everyone's guts hanging out, people stuffing packets of crisps into their bags as if famine was incoming.

Am I awful to miss the days when non-economy air travel felt a bit like a luxury not an endurance?

OP posts:
SleeplessRoads · 17/09/2026 10:39

BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:36

What makes you think my children were sad?!

They had the best time and will over the next few weeks while abroad as a family.

They are well mannered, happy children going on holiday. I keep my opinions to myself when around them (although one did say "mummy
why is that man in a football shirt when we are not allowed to wear them to school?") Fair point I would say.

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You put your children on the plane in their school uniform?!

I’m definitely judging you more than the others now!

Original poster
BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:40

Passementerie · 17/09/2026 10:38

You seem weirdly obsessed with people’s ‘guts’, which are either ‘hanging out’ or being ‘stuffed’ with crisps. Are you labouring under the impression that ‘refined’ flyers are all thin, or don’t eat in lounges?

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I've never seen someone in decent shape stuff themselves with food in any capacity or venue.

unsurprisingly, my family are not overweight. We love food, my husband and I love to cook and host, but we don't feel the need to consume 4 packets of crisps in one sitting.

If only people using the NHS felt the same.

OP posts:
Somethinggg · 17/09/2026 10:41

I suppose if this sort of thing is important to you for whatever reason, it's inevitable you'd be sad that views like yours are no longer common enough for the general public to agree with you. There is actually a logic to posts that basically boil down to I am sad because people don't view me as worth dressing up for.

Original poster
BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:42

SleeplessRoads · 17/09/2026 10:39

You put your children on the plane in their school uniform?!

I’m definitely judging you more than the others now!

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No, sorry, your mistake.

My children's schools ban football shirts at mufti days because they're uncouth.

They were surprised football shirts are acceptable attire in a lounge, considering:

OP posts:
Original poster
BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:43

MyManinCaracas · 17/09/2026 10:39

I fly first class with Virgin Atlantic and BA and the lounges are large and busy. At least at Heathrow.

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Virgin Upper class is quite different to first class. Not to be a dick, but it's very different.

OP posts:
Original poster
BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:44

Somethinggg · 17/09/2026 10:41

I suppose if this sort of thing is important to you for whatever reason, it's inevitable you'd be sad that views like yours are no longer common enough for the general public to agree with you. There is actually a logic to posts that basically boil down to I am sad because people don't view me as worth dressing up for.

Who are you?

I view any aircraft staff as worthy of dressing up for.

My mother started as cabin crew.

I have the utmost respect for cabin staff.

OP posts:
Passementerie · 17/09/2026 10:44

BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:40

I've never seen someone in decent shape stuff themselves with food in any capacity or venue.

unsurprisingly, my family are not overweight. We love food, my husband and I love to cook and host, but we don't feel the need to consume 4 packets of crisps in one sitting.

If only people using the NHS felt the same.

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Surely you use private healthcare, OP? Otherwise oiks with health problems caused by eating crisps might be placed in beds beside you, probably wearing uncouth nightwear.

Original poster
BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:45

GreyMoose12 · 17/09/2026 10:39

Not surprising with BA.

One step up from a budget airline now, sometimes not even that. You get what you pay for...

Well quite.

I think emirates for us moving forward, unless you have a better recommendation?

OP posts:
PurpleThistle7 · 17/09/2026 10:45

lol at your children having no idea adults can wear whatever they want even though they can’t at school. Glad they are having their horizons expanded through travel. Very important for growing minds.

I feel like this might be a sitcom honestly. Do people actually talk like this?

yes OP. You are seriously unreasonable and I think you’d be much happier if you considered being grateful for your privilege and just annoying the fat uncouth council dwellers daring to travel in your vicinity.

Original poster
BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:45

Passementerie · 17/09/2026 10:44

Surely you use private healthcare, OP? Otherwise oiks with health problems caused by eating crisps might be placed in beds beside you, probably wearing uncouth nightwear.

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I still pay their bill

OP posts:
Askandyforcompo · 17/09/2026 10:45

I don't think you were in the First Class lounge as there isn't a buffet thing with crisps. Business class lounge there is. And I only know because of work travel, I can't afford it personally.

I agree though. My last business class flight with my Avios points was totally ruined by 4 drunk women dripping in jewellery and designer handbags who shouted 'don't you know who I am?' at the cabin crew and made the journey horrendous for everyone, screaming and shouting, standing in the aisle. One guy begged them to stop as he'd saved for so long for those seats and it was his honeymoon. They told him to fuck off then proceeded to stare him out

Money can't buy class.

HedgerowD · 17/09/2026 10:46

Flying did seem glamorous when I was a child. I doubt passengers took their shoes and socks off and out their feet up on the chairs back then either. I don't think the decline in behaviour or appearance can be reversed. I certainly don't spend as much time as my grandparents on my appearance and I definitely prioritise comfort over style on a flight (and in life in general).

augustuss · 17/09/2026 10:46

I miss people looking presentable and behaving respectfully at airports and on planes- yes. I haven’t travelled first class and will probably never do, but regular flying was so much of a better experience twenty/ fifteen years ago than it is now.

As discussed on another thread recently, for one, intoxicated people should not be allowed on flights and definitely not served further alcoholic drinks on board.

nomas · 17/09/2026 10:46

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

You spelt 'guts' as 'guys'.

Typos happen.

Anyone who spends so much time looking at other passengers as you do is not used to first class travel.

Somethinggg · 17/09/2026 10:47

BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:44

Who are you?

I view any aircraft staff as worthy of dressing up for.

My mother started as cabin crew.

I have the utmost respect for cabin staff.

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I'm a mumsnet poster.

Didn't say anything about your levels of respect for anyone, not sure what that's included for? As your post is about other people's dress and how that makes you feel.

montysmaw · 17/09/2026 10:48

BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:38

It's a bit unsavoury, no?

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Saying No at the end of a sentence is faux posh and a bit pretentious, no?

ShanghaiDiva · 17/09/2026 10:49

BABaby88 · 17/09/2026 10:44

Who are you?

I view any aircraft staff as worthy of dressing up for.

My mother started as cabin crew.

I have the utmost respect for cabin staff.

Show quote history

I can’t imagine the crew care what you wear. They just want the passengers to show a modicum of manners, not get drunk and to lock the door when using the loo.
if I’m in business class for 16 hours my attire will be casual - dressing up makes no sense.

SwirlyGates · 17/09/2026 10:50

Actually I don't care too much about airports. But I miss the days when everyone dressed up to go to restaurants, instead of turning up in football shirts.

ilovesooty · 17/09/2026 10:51

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Was that really necessary?

Harrysmummy246 · 17/09/2026 10:53

Well aren't you a snob
Are we going to have to don black or white tie for dinner too?

Laurmolonlabe · 17/09/2026 10:54

This is why people finish up going on cruises , it feels a little more like the past.
Everything has become more casual and relaxed, it doesn't stop you making an effort though.

Orangemintcream · 17/09/2026 10:54

To be honest I wish we were more refined as a society.

Causal clothing absolutely everywhere even in a nice restaurant now.

Even at the office it’s much much more casual now. Maybe if you work for a top law firm or in banking it’s different but I don’t so I wouldn’t know.

Swissmeringue · 17/09/2026 10:57

I'm really surprised by this, we use the BA lounge every time we're at Gatwick, we often fly economy/premium but DH travels BA long haul in business an awful lot for work so has whatever their top frequent flyer tier is. It's usually pretty quiet and I've never noticed people stuffing their bags and treating it like an all you can eat buffet. I have been known to shower the kids and pop them in their pjs there before an overnight flight though so maybe I'm part of the problem!

sHREDDIES19 · 17/09/2026 10:59

I guess if they are in the same lounge, they have the financial means to be there so are equally entitled to use it as they see fit? All types of people have lots of money you know?

Batsratscatsgnats · 17/09/2026 11:00

What a ridiculous insufferable snob you are.