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

I'm not sure I'd do it myself but I don't think I'd have a problem with it either. Surely most people will spend that flight sleeping or plugged into the entertainment system anyway?

I think if you do things as a group, you try and fit in with what the person with the least amount of money would do

I feel like this too. TBH, if I was desperate to fly in Business/First, I'd make my excuses and catch a different flight rather than let on to my friends. Strange but true.

Also, unless this is a very good deal she's gotten, she could've upgraded the four of you to Business for the same price. Seems like rubbing everyone else's nose in it, tbh.

Economy is never fun for 20 hours regardless of who you are with

I have done UK to Aus several times in economy and premium economy and I would, without a doubt, upgrade myself without my family if I had the money! Bit of peace and quiet... Yes please! ;-) We've even talked about one of us actually travelling in business in order to be slightly less haggard on the other side and able to look after child.

How much chatting etc. are you really expecting to be doing on the flight? From experience you're either trying (badly) to rest, or watching movies.

I'd be envious of her, but it wouldn't bother me at all.

No it isn't like suggesting an expensive restaurant and expecting others to join in. She's not expecting anything. You - however - are expecting her to fly economy just so she sits near you.

Honestly. She won't be having a giggle over a cheap ass glass of wine in economy no matter how much "fun" it is for an hour or two. Thereafter, you'll be told to keep it down by the other passengers trying to sleep. Hardly a slumber party.

Ok I'm a grump when it comes to traveling by air.

The idea of sitting on a super long haul flight in Econ when I could upgrade would be hell especially as apart from family I am an antisocial bugger when flying.

It's up to her how to spend her money to get to the holiday unless.......

If she shows off about it then all bets are off and you should take the piss shamelessly all holiday.

I think if you do things as a group, you try and fit in with what the person with the least amount of money would do

only if its something everyone has to do

e.g. I will agree to go camping, but only with certain comforts. Just because my friends in the next tent just have a sleeping bag and a roll mat doesn't mean I have to, I'm not doing it without my proper aerobed and full set-up. I'm no fun when I'm in pain from sleeping on the floor!

It sounds like the sort of twatty thing I've been known to do...

DH and I were invited to go on a weekend away in Amsterdam by a friend of ours and a bunch of her mates we don't know very well. We're mid-20s and some of her mates were a couple of years younger and some of them still in the broke, just-graduated stage, whereas we've got good incomes. Having a toddler who has never slept well, if I was going to have 3 nights away from him there was no WAY I'd be staying in a cheapie hostel with the rest of them - I needed to make the most of the opportunity to sleep!

So they all stayed in one of the cheapest hostels miles away from the centre while we stayed in a swanky 5* hotel right in the centre. Okay so they probably partied a bit harder than we did but it was so worth it.

Sometimes you just think, life is too short, if I can afford to treat myself/travel in comfort, I will!

It's the journey, the transport. None of you will have a great time on that flight . You will sleep, uncomfortably, read, plug yourselves into a series of movies and count down the hours.

Also, the likelihood is that the seating wil be 3-4-3 and so unless 4 of you chose a middle row (God, why would you do that?£ one person would be on their own anyway.

On a flight of that length I would try and bags you each a window seat rather than be in the same row, though some prefer aisle seats. Doing the best for individual comfort is more important than sitting together.

If you think she will want to continue an exclusive first class lifestyle that the rest of you can't afford when you get there , then that will be much more of a problem . But presumably if she did that kind of thing, you wouldn't a be friends?

At this stage if you cause an atmosphere over this , it will be as much your doing as hers. I would be gracious, say 'you lucky thing ' and not snipe or nurture resentment .

Apart from anything else you will
just look jealous. (I would be so envious! )

Certainly not green eyed, more

I can easily afford Business (1st an extravagance too far), but like I said leaving 2 pals in economy is mean and I'd worry would get the holiday off on a haves and have nots footing, with them feeling like the poor relation.

As for leaving DH and DC in econ and flying 1st as some folks suggest I'm

We went on holiday as a group, five of us flew Easyjet and the other flew first class BA because he's related to a BA pilot and has a job where he stacks up air miles like it's going out of fashion*. We met at the accommodation and then had a cracking week, I really can't see the problem.

• this may also be a factor - he flies loads for work so wasn't about to get as enthusiastic as the rest of us about 4 hours of flying

She obviously needs a few lessons in showing some empathy.

I guess if she is fun and nice on other levels I'd just let it go, but she really sounds inconsiderate.

See, I would feel v uncomfortable if I knew you had chosen to endure a flight to Oz n economy on my account, when you could afford and might prefer Premium or Business. And I might feel a bit patronized .

I would be miffed if everyone else swanned off to another class together , and left me. Complicated !

If it's a night time flight, then I'd understand.
I can't sleep in a normal plane seat. Not properly.

If daytime, then I'd go together.

Just maybe she got the flights on her air miles. Although regardless of that, I just wouldn't do it, a few family members were flying overseas for a wedding, all taking different flights depending on work commitments etc. We were flying Business but we made sure (with fingers crossed) that no one else was travelling on the same flight. Otherwise it would just have made me feel too uncomfortable and we didn't mention that we'd flown business to anyone.

We have a long haul flight next month and virtually no one knows that we're flying First.

I also don't like it when people post pics of themselves in the First Class lounge or having a glass of champagne before take off, I just think it's a bit showy

When our kids were younger, several of our friends used to fly up front but put their teenage kids in economy. We never did that, either we all went business or none of us did.

So yes I think your friend is being rather crass, surely she could have found some excuse to take a separate flight.

Well, it's not really in the spirit of a holiday with friends, but I guess if can afford it and she finds it more comfortable, it's her decision.

No freaking way I fly to Aus in economy. Its a terrible flight, and I would upgrade like a shot. When DH and I went I went in premium and he went economy AT HIS OWN REQUEST because he didn't see the point. He got upgraded on the way out but no on the return.

I think if it was a trip to Spain I would thing no.. I never have managed to sleep long haul..Though admittedly I have only ever flew economy... I would love somewhere I was able to sleep.

I thin what would concern me would be the comment about who else is coming? does she understand other peoples budgets. I think you would have an idea of this in the UK though.

I wouldn't fly to Oz in economy either (I'd rather not go!). My knees are bad enough after 4 hours on easy jet, I wouldn't be able to walk for days after 24 hrs in economy. I'd do the same I'm afraid.

I can easily afford Business (1st an extravagance too far), but like I said leaving 2 pals in economy is mean and I'd worry would get the holiday off on a haves and have nots footing, with them feeling like the poor relation.

do they care though OP? or do you just care on their behalf?
I bet if they hear that you went economy just to sit together they'll look at you like you're mad and ask why you didn't upgrade if you could afford it, before putting their headphones and eye masks on and ignoring you for the rest of the flight!

Sitting together (provided you get to sit together, not 15 rows from each other) with 3 friends on a flight to Oz and "having fun" with them would transport me back to school trips when I was 12 - and I didn't much enjoy those even back then. On a trip that length I'd want to read and sleep and not have to constantly talk to 3 other people. YABU.

8 of us are going to London for a weekend as we are all 50. All but one were willing to pay extra £28 to come back 1st class on train as a treat! Will never do this again and wanted it to be special. So one is in second class and the rest in first class on way back. All second class on way there.

I was goin to say Yanbu how bloody antisocial, but it's to Oz, if you can afford it, why not. Think I'll have run out of conversation way before then. Economy can be cramped and uncomfortable.

This thread has made me feel better about something
My friend's mum moved to oz and she's quite lonely always asking when I'll visit
Much as I'd love to see that part of oz and yes it's free accommodation I can't face the flight again, I did economy there in the past ..I told her if I ever had enough for business class I'll be there but she knows that won't happen! So I'm relieved others won't fly economy either, my mum and her daughter tell me every week that I should go.