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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Husband refusing to sit in economy class

216 replies

waterfallrainbow · 09/01/2017 18:13

We are desperate for some winter sun. But DH (who doesn't care about winter sun) has imposed some conditions: He will only fly for up to 3 hours in an economy seat because he says any longer will damage his knees. He is 6 foot 3.5 with very long legs. Trouble is, you can't really get any winter sun within 3 hours. I can't help thinking he's being a bit precious. In the end we've shelled out an extra £1k for him to fly business class while we go cattle class, which basically means I am paying for his flight. I have long legs too... We have to go on a cheaper holiday as a result. Slightly struggling with my attitude...

OP posts:
trollspoopglitter · 09/01/2017 19:47

Winter sun in Jordan?! You know it snows in Amamn and Petra? Yes Aqaba can get up to mid 20s in the daytime but it's the desert - temperature will plummet the minute the sun sets!

Original poster
waterfallrainbow · 09/01/2017 19:47

Fruitbat1980 Antigua! good tip!

To those that asked - son and I both get SAD, hence the desire for winter sun. Perhaps a first world problem, but I really feel we need this. Tried lumie lamps, sunbeds, vitamin D. They all help, but a winter holiday actually makes a huge difference.

OP posts:
backinthebox · 09/01/2017 19:52

Airlines know what size seat people need, but apparently the passenger wants cheaper seats everywhere. So if you want more space these days you have to pay for it. I work for an airline that has been documented in the news recently as discovering it can fit an extra 15% more seats on it's long haul aircraft - coming soon to a plane near you! The customer-facing staff (including me) are not happy about this, but we don't do the planning, we just make sure the passenger gets from A to B.

Enjoy Jordan - I had one of my best ever holidays there, just after the hotel bombings. We felt very safe, and it's a beautiful and interesting place.

EvaSthlm · 09/01/2017 19:53

Being tall isn't so fun, especially not on a plane. I'm 5' 10.5'' (I'm Scandinavian so we're sort of tallish). Well, it's too late now to change anything but next time you could book a seat with somewhat more space. Be grateful you're not so tall, it's only a nuisance...

PossumInAPearTree · 09/01/2017 19:54

Canaries is more than three hours isn't it?

Original poster
waterfallrainbow · 09/01/2017 19:55

sheikhandbake thank you! So excited. snow in Petra could be pretty... Amazing how empty Jordan seems. Bit of a gift for us.

OP posts:
Original poster
waterfallrainbow · 09/01/2017 19:56

backinthebox that explains it... still though. ought to be legislation. unfair on tall people!

OP posts:
Penfold007 · 09/01/2017 19:57

OP your H has just very loudly and plainly told you how much more important he is compared with you and your DC. Oh and I come from a family where 6'3" is the norm.

MetalMidget · 09/01/2017 19:58

My husband is 6ft 6 - we just book extra legroom seats at the front. Several trips to the Dominican Republic in winter, no problems (long haul planes tend to have more legroom anyway).

MetalMidget · 09/01/2017 19:59

(We call it tall tax, BTW :P)

Original poster
waterfallrainbow · 09/01/2017 20:03

Penfold 007 No - I think he's told me that he's terrified of f**ing up his knees. After all, he is coming on holiday with us when he doesn't want to. But it is maddening. I'm still not sure whether he's being reasonable in refusing to sit in economy for 5 hours. But listening to other tall people on here I begin to think that maybe he is. Airlines ought to make big enough seats. Why don't Royal Jordanian and BA to Jordan have premium economy seats?

OP posts:
NewBallsPlease00 · 09/01/2017 20:05

Go away with a friend not him!

BabychamSocialist · 09/01/2017 20:06

Sorry but I'm on your DH's side. DP is 6'4" and normal economy is absolute misery for him. Our lads struggle as well as they're both around 6'2". For that reason we try to book premium economy or exit/front row seats for them and I just sit wherever's free near them.

Oh and you absolutely can fly to places for winter sun in under 3 hours. Most of Spain, Cyprus and the Canaries are open to you depending where you fly from.

We've just got back from a Monday to Friday in Marrakech and it was roasting. Kids loved it of course, because nothing is more fun for 16 year olds than throwing yourself down huge sand dunes.

NewBallsPlease00 · 09/01/2017 20:08

Also really Jordan check you can get insurance there atm

BraveDancing · 09/01/2017 20:09

My DSis has to fly business class for health reasons - she has spinal injuries. Those seats really are very cramped and spending hours in pain isn't a good way to start a holiday.

BabychamSocialist · 09/01/2017 20:10

We flew with Ryanair and paid about £125 return for "Business Plus" for DP and the lads, which gives you luggage, hand baggage, priority boarding and a reserved exit row/priority seat in the price. It was only about £40 for normal economy for me - well worth looking into!

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/01/2017 20:10

Dh is the same height and confined spaces do make his legs sore.

Want2bSupermum · 09/01/2017 20:12

DH is 6'4" and has very long legs (42" trousers and no they are not up to his armpits). He flies all over the place often sitting in economy for up to 8 hours. He gets an upgraded seat with more legroom. With the kids it is easier as they are small. Once the plane is up in the air he lifts the arm so he can put his legs diagonally. When the kids get bigger I want DH and I to sit in business and the kids can sit in the back on their own with their knees squished.

tooclosetocall · 09/01/2017 20:13

I'd have said see you when we get back

Yes, me too

NotTheDroidYoureLookingFor · 09/01/2017 20:14

For that kind of money, you could buy an additional seat with the family and use the extra space to stretch out.

SparklesandBangs · 09/01/2017 20:14

I'm only 5'8 and my legs are long but not exceptionally so, however my size is large (20-22) so I like space, I also have a knee problem and a back issue.

I have flown all over the world incl NZ economy class, always in an aisle seat, when the DC were small i used their leg space, then I tried for premium economy or extra leg room seats. I can do about 6 hours before the pain becomes acute. Flew twice last year, once was around 8 hours economy (painful) and I decided that was it, the minimum I am prepared to do is extra legroom or under 2 hours.

DH is just shy of 6' and his legs are longer than mine, he will and does travel all around the world in economy for pleasure and business, unless he gets free upgrades. He is of slight build and fit with no joint problems.

DH & I are off for some winter sun soon and I have booked business class, he will fly the same although he thought about not bothering, we don't care about sitting together, in business we won't be next to each other anyway as the seats are staggered.

SarahOoo · 09/01/2017 20:15

And also why has it come out of your money, if you are married?

Was this really just asked?!

Shock horror.....some couples (married or not) combine their money and some don't. Some also combine part of their money like bills and not other parts of their money like money for social stuff....

Like I said....shock horror.....

LagunaBubbles · 09/01/2017 20:16

What did you mean you had to pay though? Confused

Penfold007 · 09/01/2017 20:16

Waterfall lets agree to disagree. Seriously he wont ruin he knees sitting in economy. He wants to be in business/first class with all the luxuries that brings whilst you travel in cattle class.

MitzyLeFrouf · 09/01/2017 20:18

'After all, he is coming on holiday with us when he doesn't want to.'

What a saint. So gracious of him to grant his family the pleasure of his company!