To miss refined air travel?

Mass tourism and cheap flights have spoiled things.

Flying in the past looked “special” and oh, to visit places without hordes of others breathing down your neck.

Obviously it’s better to travel in comfortable clothes, but the last time I flew I did see some horrors. A young woman was wearing shortie pyjamas (teddies and hearts on them so they were definitely pjs) in departures and the shorts had ridden up so there were two bum cheeks on display - ugh.

US internal flights are in a different league. The dcs still talk about my meltdown when someone got on with a big bag of KFC. The smell was awful and eating it with their hands - I was nearly sick.

I'm not sure I like myself for this, but on the rare occasions I fly I like to look like I'm a stylish seasoned traveller, but also be comfortable.

I couldn't care less how other people dress when I'm flying.

I would really hate to have to share the cabin with an insufferable snob though.

That’s a relief, when I read it I thought they’d got their old chaps out . Even on Ryanair that would be a little extreme. I think back to BA flights with an “air hostess” giving out linen napkins and the occasional hot towel.

Don’t forget to lock the doors and not give them oxygen masks or life jackets. Every so often you’re reminded why titanic had half empty life boats

I would never go anywhere near to the "pay to enter" lounges. It's like the hunger games on a council estate.
Edited
Wow there are some truly hideous people on MN today. You sound like one of the characters from " Snowpiercer" OP.

"Hello Mrs Bucket."
"It's BOUQUET!"

Yeah, right. You’d rather sit next to a man in a vest with hairy armpits on display and wearing short shorts with a bare thigh half an inch away from you, than a person fully dressed who might be a snob ?

Have you considered a private jet OP

I don’t care what people wear at airports within reason but I take your point re crisps etc.
I was waiting at the boarding gate to board a plane last week and the flight was slightly delayed - the number of people shovelling food ( crisps and burgers mainly) as if they’d never see food again while we waited was pretty unpleasant.

I would

Thought you said it was a weekend trip?

Make your mind up.

The problem, IMO, is that the BA First Class lounge is not only for passengers travelling in First, it includes all BA Gold members. For a more exclusive First Class experience you need the Concorde room, though even then you will have to suffer the company of those on BAs Gold Guest List and Premier Card holders who might not actually be travelling in First. And there's no Concorde room at Gatwick. Still, even the BA First Lounge at Gatwick is preferable to the behaviuor of passengers in Middle Eastern, Chinese or US lounges, so there is that...!!

Was your flight from Gatwick to Heathrow?

Definitely a windup guys.

I do, but I cannot when travelling with the children. Sadly. They lack the tier points (for now).

Either you have enough tier points to bring guests into the first lounge or you have to have bought first class tickets. Plus, shouldn't the little well-dressed darlings be back in school?

I haven't flown from Gatwick in years, but often fly first from T5 and can attest there's no buffet from which to pilfer crisps.

One thing I never do is judge someone by how they dress. Some of the richest people I know dress casually and don’t spend money on clothes, probably why they have so much money. As for judging someone in a football shirt, they cost near enough £100 a go so they are not exactly dressed in cheap clothes either.

Fortunately we still have our private jet, but my partner Rupert once had to fly with BA out of Heathrow and he found the whole experience to be ghastly.

I thought this was going to be about how planes and airports are headache-inducing, overpriced consumerist circles of hell but no, this is MN so of course it's about looking down on other people.

Genuinely can't fathom why you'd care what other people on your flight are wearing. I would like whoever's sat next to me to be quiet and hygienic (allowing for the fact that we all get a bit sweaty while travelling) and that's it.

Gosh, it's terrible when The Poors gain access to lounges

although one did say "mummy why is that man in a football shirt when we are not allowed to wear them to school?"

Hope you told them to repeat their question in French/Mandarin/whichever language the au pair speaks.

I think I've cracked it. @BABaby88 is actually the Catherine Tate "Darlings I need you to be very, very brave..." mummy, surely?

Yet another goady thread!

I've worn a strappy top and shorts on a plane, how is that different? Bare thighs and armpits are not scandalous body parts.

Ah...I'm reminded of the halcyon days when J.R.M. brought his nanny to Fife.

Somewhere on the internet, there's a lovely photograph of him clambering over a back fence in Fife. (Actually a wee bit rude of him, to take a shortcut like that.)

Can't find that one, but in the meantime here's an article from The Scotsman.

https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/brexit/looking-back-when-a-young-jacob-rees-mogg-campaigned-in-scotland-with-his-nanny-14085

I agree with you OP. Flying used to be a real occasion and something to dress nicely for; now it's been dumbed down to the lowest common denominator, like many other things. However, as others say, if you fly Business/First Class, it's still pretty special. My favourite F/BC lounge is the one at Dubai Airport - it's so luxurious with any type of drink/food you can imagine - and it's quiet!

So your child wasnt able to make the distinction between school and an airport lounge...you must be a little worried about his intelligence level. Do you think taking him out of school for a multi week holiday is the best idea?

Here's the photograph:

https://www.pressreader.com/foryou