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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you pay for your dc to fly business class?

117 replies

zarmak · 16/02/2019 16:14

Just that really. DS and his friend are going on their big gap year holiday, and the other boys parents have paid for them both to travel in Business class. It is a 14 hour flight.

Would you ever do that? I just really hope he doesn't get a taste for it.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 16/02/2019 16:15

Depends if I could afford it. I dud think gap years were meant to be on a shoestring though :)

Lovingbenidorm · 16/02/2019 16:16

I would tbh
14 hours is a loooong flight

Original poster
zarmak · 16/02/2019 16:17

I suppose it's just a bit wasteful in my eyes as the amount equalled to over a week's earning for me.

OP posts:
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 16/02/2019 16:17

Yes, why would you if finances could allow it?

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 16/02/2019 16:18

*Wouldn’t

Tailfeather · 16/02/2019 16:18

Does he want to? I always fly business class but back in the day of my gap year I would have preferred to have kept that additional £2k (or whatever it is) to extend the travels or to use having fun on the ground. 14 hours in the air versus a year on the ground! I'd have used it to enrich the actual travels. Plus I think a gap year should be about slumming it a bit!!!

I do pay for my son to sit up front with me - as I don't want to sit in economy with him! But once he's enough to travel solo I don't think I would pay.

BigGreenOlives · 16/02/2019 16:18

I wouldn’t & I have travelled long haul in every class. Not necessary but nice of them.

Chloemol · 16/02/2019 16:18

Yes but a once only and part birthday/Christmas pressie

swingofthings · 16/02/2019 16:19

I thought the principle of a gap year was to work to save and go travel at the end with the money saved.

I would never pay for any flights for a gap year holiday, let alone business class which I myself never the luxury to enjoy!

Hollywhiskey · 16/02/2019 16:19

Absolutely not I don't think it's good value for money so I wouldn't pay it for myself. If my daughter ever wants it she'll be welcome to pay for it herself but I wouldn't l, no.

MillyMollyMandie · 16/02/2019 16:19

Yes, we always did but Id never agree to someone else paying for them.

Drum2018 · 16/02/2019 16:19

If they want to go business class they should pay for it, or at the very least pay the difference. I assume you are not funding the holiday and that they have part time jobs to fund it?

icannotremember · 16/02/2019 16:21

Maybe ask the kids who were on the streets demanding actual action on climate change?

Bryjam · 16/02/2019 16:23

I actually think it’s a really nice thing to do. Not much different to adding some extra spends or paying for a hotel or whatever. Why do people have such a problem with giving?

I just really hope he doesn't get a taste for it.

Why not?

Alsohuman · 16/02/2019 16:23

Absolutely not, a gap year’s not meant to be luxurious.

Original poster
zarmak · 16/02/2019 16:23

My ds has worked for every penny, and that includes paying for the economy ticket. His friends parents paid for the difference.

Whilst it is very nice to see that kids are making a stand on climate change, I cannot help but feel it was more their teachers and parents pushing them to do so rather than themselves. Free day off school? sure.

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 16/02/2019 16:24

TBH even if I was mega rich I might not for such a trip.

Are the other parents paying for them to stay in 5 star accommodation when they get there too?

blackteasplease · 16/02/2019 16:26

I don't think I would tbh!

blackteasplease · 16/02/2019 16:28

Who is capable of sitting in economy with no issues but teenage /young men boys, presuming no disabilities etc.?

Sure they are the very epitome of people who don't need to bother paying for extra?

StealthPolarBear · 16/02/2019 16:28

Yes I always think that in these sorts of situations, some people have to do it!

BedraggledBlitz · 16/02/2019 16:33

That's a lovely treat for them. I would if I could afford to.

pollyname · 16/02/2019 16:33

I definitely wouldn't - unless there is some sort of accessibility issue surely isn't the point of being young learning to 'put up with things' a bit? Also I'd feel it would take away from the achievement they deserve for paying for it all themselves. But thats just me, I've never paid for business class - I find it far to easy to find other things to spend £2k on.

FridayFreja · 16/02/2019 16:33

Dh and I always pay for business class for the whole family if we’re flying back from the US overnight - you can sleep properly and avoid most of the jet lag.

I would never bother paying business class for a daytime flight though.

Hellokittymania · 16/02/2019 16:37

I just did a 14 hour flight on Thursday… Thankfully there was a seat next to me that was free, as a nobody was sitting in it. Otherwise I would have gone crazy. I have only done two flights over 14 hours in my life… Anyway, I have flown business class one time with emirates, and it was probably the worst flight I have ever taken. I ended up crying on the second leg of the flight. But I also have a disability and I have to deal with the horrible assistance you sometimes get at the airports…

I did get to go in the lounge in Dubai though, and there is a free buffet, and other things you can do. But I wouldn’t really do it a second time, even if I could afford it. I thought that the assistance would be better with business class, but as I said it was the worst I have ever had. And I fly quite a lot.

If it’s a 14 hour flight was something like Singapore airlines, emirates, etc., there is good in-flight entertainment, Wi-Fi, when it works anyway ha ha Ha, bring some books, crosswords, other things, snacks… You will be fine.

StoneofDestiny · 16/02/2019 16:39

No way - I went to OZ as a teenager and the flight was entirely manageable (as it is for the majority who travel that way) and much longer than 14 hours. The luxuries on Business Class would be wasted on teens in my view. However, if parents have money to burn and its their money..............but I wouldn't waste mine.

(though gap years were about roughing it)