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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:
At4oclockthenormalworld · 16/02/2019 16:48

That sounds very generous of his friends parents and a lovely treat! And in reality he may not get the chance to do it often so why not? I would bite your hand off if you offered it to me ... Grin

Roussette · 16/02/2019 16:50

Business class on a gap year???? Bloody hell.

I'm off on longhaul shortly and even we don't pay those prices and me and DH are over 60. It's a huge amount of money I'd rather spend on my holiday.

When you're that age you can cope easily with economy, totally self indulgent to fly that age business. My DCs fly all over the world and have never paid out on business, they like me would rather spend it on their holiday.

Can't quite believe this actually. Well I can but I'm taken aback

Crunched · 16/02/2019 16:50

For DD’s (self-funded) gap year we offered a top up for Business Class seats. DD asked if she could use the cash for 3 nights in a 5* hotel in Asia instead, halfway through her 6 month trip. Her call, and it worked perfectly for her.
DS goes in June and we will do the same.At 6ft 5”, I’m thinking the Business Class flight may be a good option for him.

Roussette · 16/02/2019 16:52

My god, I'm out of touch obviously. Having not flown business class myself, no way would I be shelling out that sort of money on my kids!
Shock

AgentJohnson · 16/02/2019 16:53

Flying business class on a gap year Hmm. It’s very generous of the boy’s parents but no I wouldn’t pay business class prices.

HermioneWeasley · 16/02/2019 16:54

Absolutely not in this situation- it’s madness

Roussette · 16/02/2019 16:55

I thought you're meant to slum it a bit on gap year?? Why not treat them to the Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong at the same time!

swingofthings · 16/02/2019 16:55

What I would possibly help with is extra leg seat for a very tall son. Why business though when the rest of the pane will be full of people who will cope with 14h as millions do every week?

EssentialHummus · 16/02/2019 16:58

Only if you can afford it. The other parents should have spoken to you imo (sounds like they spoke to each other).

At4oclockthenormalworld · 16/02/2019 17:00

I've made the assumption - obv correct me if I'm wrong OP! - that for friends (lucky) parents the money perhaps isn't an issue? And I suppose DS can't really ask for the cash equivalent instead albeit this would fit well with a gap year.

Agree we unfortunately will never be in a position to do this for DD but can't judge another patent for doing it.

They could fill their pockets with those diddy bags of snacks to keep as emergency rations whilst trekking up a mountain somewhere!

Roussette · 16/02/2019 17:00

But swing if you time it right, you can get extra leg room seats or seats with nothing in front, where your DS can stretch his legs. It might cost anything up to £65 depending on airline, but certainly not the ££££ of business class

We get cheap longhaul economy and then pay for extra legroom. This site is really useful for showing the flights and good and bad seats.

ScreamingValenta · 16/02/2019 17:02

How much would it cost to upgrade?

Mummyoflittledragon · 16/02/2019 17:03

It’s a bit awkward if he’s the only one not flying business, surely? The choice is either you’re pissed off or he is.

starzig · 16/02/2019 17:03

I think it would take away from the whole ambience of a gap year being about living job to job, slways being skint etc...
Maybe I'm just romanticising it.

EstrellaDamn · 16/02/2019 17:03

Teenage boys! No way! They're young enough to rough it a bit.

Mummyoflittledragon · 16/02/2019 17:03

I should have added unnecessary imo for a young person.

Tobebythesea · 16/02/2019 17:03

I would rather have the money to use for the actual gap year, like paying for a smaller occupancy rooms in hostels etc but it’s your call.

SoupDragon · 16/02/2019 17:11

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

Why? Does what class you fly make a difference to climate change?

EstrellaDamn · 16/02/2019 17:13

They're not going on some sort of charity gap year are they? That would be ultra cringe.

3timeslucky · 16/02/2019 17:16

No.

BrizzleMint · 16/02/2019 17:19

I would if I could.

Missingstreetlife · 16/02/2019 17:21

Bit mean to organise that without consulting. Are they better off than you?

Roussette · 16/02/2019 17:23

If you're mega loaded and always fly business class and have flown with your kids business class... I can sort of get it. But not really. I'm just trying to be polite.

But surely no one would pay for their child on a gap year to fly business class if you've never paid for that for yourself???

If the answer is yes I need to re-evaluate what the hell is going on in the world!

swingofthings · 16/02/2019 17:23

It might cost anything up to £65 depending on airline, but certainly not the ££££ of business class
Exactly so can understand paying for that extra, but not the luxury of business class which is just that, a luxury.

tickingthebox · 16/02/2019 17:25

i bet this has been done on airmiles....which is what we do!

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