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

Australia? I'd totally ditch you all and upgrade! See you there ladies, byyyeee

I did a version of this on a friends 40th weekend away, went to another city in the UK and everyone else were sharing doubles/getting family rooms (1 in a single 2 in a double) to keep the cost down, I don't like sharing a room never mind a bed with anyone other than DP so I paid a bit more and got myself a single room.

Depends what she is like as a flyer. If I had the money I would go first class mainly because I get panicky in confined spaces (regardless of sitting end of isle so anything to make it more bearable (if I could get myself into a flight would be a start)

It wouldn't bother me, go into a lounge, have giggles and loads of pre flight drinks and then see her the other side.

Travelling in a four won't that socialable. You will either be a two with the other two in front of behind or across an aisle or if v large aircraft four abreast which isn't great. One of you will sleep loads, another not able to sleep and the others run out of conversation/will watch a film/listen to music etc.

Australia? A resounding YABU from me.
I've been twice in my life - once in economy. Once in First class - upgraded as the friend I was travelling with worked for office part of BA. We got the 6 foot beds, the lot.
There is a WORLD of difference - arrive exhausted, sore, grumpy, feeling filthy, constipated and never wanting to see or smell another human being ever again.
Or arrive rested, fresh, well fed, clean and pampered and ready to head straight out to make the most of the holiday.
Flying isn't part of the holiday for me either - it's a necessary evil to get where you want to go. If she wants to do it in comfort, I would have absolutely no problem with it at all. It's not like a giggly hen trip to Spain - that length of flight in economy is fucking miserable and I would do whatever is in my power to avoid!
Let us know how you feel when you get back!

I think the sticky point here is if she does pay for 1st, she can get free drinks etc in the 1st class lounge for herself and probably one guest.
But there's three of you, you can't all be her guest...

Have you made clear arrangements for the whole holiday? Are you in general agreement about level of accommodation, meals out etc? Or will she be continuing a first class lifestyle on holiday?
I think first is a bit excessive - business gets you a flat bed and the hope of some sleep.

Your friend is NBU to go on first class but the text was a bit mean IMO, especially if she knew two of the friends are hard up with cash.

She may know something about her blood that you do not. She may get deep vein thrombosis in economy, then end up in hospital!
That would certainly put a spanner in your holiday.

Flying to Australia is not anything I'd do unless I could afford business class, or first. It's sheer hell on earth so to speak.

Are you stopping over in Bangkok, HK Singapore or Dubai?

Anyway, she sounds like she knows herself and what she's prepared to put up with. It's a long flight, even longer in economy. And two weeks is hellishly short to be jet lagged from lack of sleep at the other end and back.

I'd book business if I was you. Poor sods in their flight tights in economy, but that's not your problem. They can keep each other company... hey, they might get an upgrade if they dress smartly.

Remember your friend might be upgrading from her airline points, it's not an indication she's actually paying for it .... she may qualify from frequent flying or an associate credit card programme.

Enjoy your holiday.

If she's used to flying First she would find Economy absolutely awful, and it sounds like it's awful for that length anyway.

I've never flown First but I flew Business twice early this year and when I went to the US again recently, this time in Economy, I hated it. I didn't mind that flight in Economy at all, until I knew what Business was like!

I don't think it's at all comparable to suggesting a more expensive restaurant.

When you go out for a meal together the whole point is being with your friends, but a flight isn't something you do for the fun, just transport to the fun. And eating in a cheaper restaurant isn't painful and uncomfortable for hours and hours.

I find economy long haul pretty much torturous (but worth it to see my long distance family).

I think it is fine for her to treat herself on such a hellish long flight. The only thing which seems off is that she asked who else was up for first class. Does she not realise that 2 of the group would not be able to afford that. seems insensitive.

'Friend' of mine did this as she had a relative who worked for the airline.

We were going for my 30th birthday.

Didn't think much of it until 10 years later when I saw the 'real' person. We've not spoken for 3 years.

Her actions say more about her than you.

My advice (having been there & done that): It's your holiday too. Have fun!

FYI you can fly business to Australia changing in Norway for about the same as an economy ticket direct from LHR. Check it out!

I'd dump my kids for a flat bed..no problem.

Sorry but you're BU because although it seems quite antisocial, for some people flying to Australia in economy will almost ruin their holiday. I did it not that long ago and I tell you what I was aching and exhausted for days afterwards. If I could have afforded it then I would have totally gone to first. That being said, if I was that wealthy I'd offer to upgrade all my friends say to business class and go business myself so we could be together. Or at least explain myself, because it would feel antisocial to me.

In my younger years I used to do the Oz to UK and it was truly horrendous. Now, I'll only go business class. I've got back issues, so would have to be lifted out of my seat if I tried to sit up in economy the whole way. Not to mention the benefits of being able to have a shower on the stopover so that you arrive in the UK feeling somewhat more like a human being than a cattle being shipped for slaughter.

I don't think sitting together in economy is going to be the fun, giggling girls trip that you are imagining OP. You'll get fed, everyone will queue for the toilets, then the lights will go out, and you'll be told to shut up pretty quickly by people around you if you try and keep partying on. Really, long haul economy flights are something to endure, not enjoy. You have a few drinks at the airport, then pray that you fall asleep long enough to make it most of the way to your destination.

"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."

An expensive meal doesn't usually come with two prices and service levels at the same time, though!

She's clearly not thought this through. It is better to be at the back of the plane as you will be further away form the crash. The best seat is the one with the black box underneath - you want to be strapped to that if that is the only thing they expect to recover

And it sounds like you could just about afford first but wouldn't want to, which is fine, but means her question is not that unreasonable!

If I could afford a first class flight to Oz I'd do it in a heartbeat. Long haul economy flights are fucking grim (and I say that as someone who's only been on one long haul flight ever and is pretty brassic).

I wouldn't consider a flight to Oz as an opportunity for fun and lots of girly laughs. It's something to get through. Watch some films and try to sleep but otherwise pretty grim. The socialising aspect would be kind of irrelevant to me.

To be on my own in first class sounds like fucking bliss

"She's clearly not thought this through. It is better to be at the back of the plane as you will be further away form the crash. "

Because people sitting at the back of the plane survive plane crashes?

Don't make me laugh.

My DB lives in Oz and no way on earth would I endure economy flights of that length it would be awful. We go to Oz every now and then and are fortunate that we can afford first class.

Okay I know not everyone can afford to upgrade but if you can afford them do it. If it were New York or somewhere like that (say 8 hours max) then I'd go with them just to avoid upsetting anyone.

Fucking hell 18-24 hours in economy ... That's not a nice experience and I don't blame her for wanting to avoid it.

It's obvious you would want to be further from the crash. You'd get squashed at the front

Sure it's worth her paying the extra to sit all by herself (she may actually think that, tbh!)