To think that friend shouldn't fly first class knowing the rest of us can't

[AhNowTed]

So, 4 friends travelling long haul flight for 2 week holiday. Well-off friend announces she's going first class, on the same flight. No way can the rest of us afford it.

AIBU

Wouldn't bother me, you've got 2 weeks together so what's a few hours? The times I've travelled 'with' my friends in economy we didn't end up sat next to each other anyway.

Sorry but it wouldn't bother me.

I would do exactly the same if I were your friend. Hell would have to freeze over before I sat in an economy seat for more than 6 hours.

It is anti social but I love flying on my own/being on my own and would welcome the extra space/bed in First. I regularly fly business and simply save money to be able to afford it.

Imho you wouldn't be great friends if you tried to guilt her into economy so that the rest of you don't get your noses put out of joint by envy. Economy to oz is grim, and in no way part of the holiday.

So a mixed bag but it seems like I am BU.

To me it's the same as suggesting an expensive meal knowing your friends can't afford it and will feel awkward. Whereas I would suggest doing stuff I knew the least well off could afford.

Just feels mean and not in the spirit of the holiday we're supposed to be on together

YABU. It is a fuck of a long way and if she has the money and values the comfort she should do it, as long as she doesn't gloat.

Look at it this way- she is actually disadvantaging herself compared to you because the trip is costing her so much more- flying with a flat bed can be worth it but it is not value for money in terms of what the money actually buys you compared to economy. Are you sure it's First and not Business she means? IME very few people pay to fly First, Only super rich celebs and the rest is filled with people upgraded from Business.

A group of friends in their late teens- yes it's a problem. Grown women- no. You are altogether for two weeks, on the way back I'd be longing to sit quietly on my own in business class!

I don't buy the argument that the flight is part of the holiday tbh- you're not schoolkids looking forward to singing dirty songs in the back of the coach!

Fine its up to her. But you 3 will have a better time in each others company and she will be left out on her own. A bit weird but up to her. Shes obviously seeing the holiday as a chance to really treat herself and relax, fair enough.

I would have felt like a lot of posters and thought it unreasonable had I not flown business class once. Unfortunately my mind has changed, if I could ever afford to do it again and not do the horrible, cramped legs, no sleep, economy long haul, then I would.

Friends, I love you dearly, but sorry, life is too short.

Anyway, it wouldn't happen to me because I couldn't afford to do it again!

YABU because you're clearly jealous.

I would never fly all the way to oz in economy it would be hell. I'd go business class. Are you sure she's in first class not business class?

OP if she suggests places to go you can't afford and gets ratty when you say no, I'd see that as a problem but flights are so effing awful and I wouldn't want to talk anyway...I am a terrible traveller though and I once used points to go Business when I went to the US to meet someone, it did mean I was functioning better on arrival.

However I've realised I also thought you meant business class...if she's paying first I would offer to treat all to business. This is in my financial dreams lol!!

I hate flying, so I'm not great company on a plane anyway I just want it to be over and will immerse myself in a book/movie or sleep so I'm not over thinking it and getting anxious. I'ld make it more comfortable for myself if I could and probably sleep without panicing disproportionately about DVDs in cramped seats

so its a YABU from me

I can't afford first class, but if I could I would, for me upgrading is not fun it's just about making it more barable

I don't really see the problem, you three can have a grand old time in economy and she can have a laaaavely time in first class.

It did make me think of the flight scene from Bridesmaids though- get really drunk and go visit her!

I'd be jealous of her going into first but I wouldn't have an issue with it. If I ever have an opportunity to upgrade I always do but luckily (or unluckily depending on how you look at it) I've never had the chance to upgrade while travelling with others.

Oh and I went to Australia too, it isn't just a 20 hour flight, you have all that waiting at the airport, waiting and the changeover and travel from the airport at the other end. All in, from home to finals destination it can be the best part of two days.

BTW, when you are tired, hungry and bored in the airport at ABu Dhabi or Dubai or wherever waiting for your connecting flight, your friend will probably be in the first class lounge having a chef cooked dinner, with lots of bubbly, a shower, facial and wash and blow dry.....she hasn't told you that bit yet

Zombie flies economy on short haul European flights. She flies premium economy / business class to east coast America. When she went to Australia she flew first class. She would never even contemplate 20+ hours on a plane any other way.

Australia?? YABU.

Lol at all the people suggesting you'll be having a such a great laugh in economy they've obviously never flown to oz before. See how "in the spirit of the holiday" you all are after being sat thigh to thigh for 20 plus hours.

I don't see the problem. Maybe she doesn't view the getting to the holiday as part of the holiday, so doesn't see a problem in being separate from you. Maybe she really hates flying, really needs a break and just thinks 'I deserve this'. Maybe she just has the cash so thinks 'why on earth not?' Whatever her reasons, how does it really effect you?

oh give over OP, is it heck a bit mean. For many people the holiday doesn't start until you arrive at the destination - I'm in that camp.

It's not like you've been dumped, grow up and stop being so childish. Even if you sat alone what's the problem? You can read, sleep eat, watch a film and you will have lots of time with your friend once you arrive.

I seriously couldn't be doing with mates who expected me to do the same as them when there was an alternative that's not putting anyone out.

Just feels mean and not in the spirit of the holiday we're supposed to be on together

No guarantee you will all be sat together anyway....

Mind you, you can all take it in turns to go in the lounges with her.
I'd bag the Concorde room at T5 if I were you op

YABU. Her money, her comfort.

OP I really really hope you and the other two ladies get free upgrades.

Actually I'm going to go spill the blood of a virgin* for the gods to make sure that happens

• I won't actually be spilling any blood.

oh give over OP, is it heck a bit mean. For many people the holiday doesn't start until you arrive at the destination - I'm in that camp.

Oh I'm one further and I'm not in the holiday spirit until we've checked in to our accomodations and I know for certain that it exists/isn't a nightmare holiday from hell place. Then I'm a new woman and Mrs Holiday spirit, not before that and certainly not on the flights, I never understand people who start drinking at the airport - mid flight hangovers, no thank you

Also my back isn't what it used to be, I don't wanna have to spend the first day of my holiday searching for a local osteopath to unwind me after an uncomfortable flight. For the most part I avoid flying if I can at all.