Travelling with friends but only I got upgraded on the flight

[pennyguggenheim]

I was travelling with four other friends. On checking in, I was offered a free flight upgrade. I asked whether my friends would too, but no just me as I have status with the airline. I accepted it, leaving my four friends in the back of the plane (12hr flight).

Was I unreasonable?

My one friend said it was bit selfish, but the others said balls to it, you got it for free, enjoy yourself.

[DoubleDaffodil]

Some people are ridiculous.

A 12-hour flight is something to be endured as best you can. It's definitely not part of the holiday, and most people either sleep or plug into the in-flight entertainment. It's not a time to be sociable (and drinking alcohol on a long-haul flight is a really bad idea if you ant to arrive in reasonable shape).

Of course you should accept the free upgrade - and your friends should be happy for you.

[puppy23]

I wish I was like some PPs who found the flight as a fun part of the holiday. Hope you enjoyed your upgrade OP - I'll be feeling very jel when flying myself in a few days!

[nuxe1984]

I wouldn't have taken the upgrade.

When I go away with friends, part of the pleasure is travelling together. Not sitting on my own.

[Mutinerie]

I'd have taken it, but offered to take turns with the friends.

[AlexaAmbidextra]

I'd have taken it, but offered to take turns with the friends.

As stated upthread, you can’t do this. The upgrade is specifically for OP. She can’t choose to bestow it on her friends, the cabin crew won’t allow it.

[manicmij]

Jealousy is a terrible condition. YWNBU

[PregnantSea]

Yanbu

[Pinkbells]

I wouldn't have swanned off and left my friends in economy!

[Dramatical]

Some people are ridiculous

No. Some people are different.

[poglets]

My friend has been upgraded and he gave it to me because I don't usually get that experience. That was a lovely thing.

I also wouldn't have minded if he went and used it for himself.

[EluphNaugeMeop]

Fine to take the upgrade - but you do then need to take the first opportunity to defer to the comfort of your friends during the holiday to make up for it - eg "you all get to pick which bed/which sun lounger/_whatever before me because I got more rest during the flight, you list be more knackered than me." - just for one opportunity, you don't need to be martyr all holiday just acknowledge your luck. Or buy them a drink.

[winbinin]

They are jealous because you were a lucky duck and they weren’t. I would do the same in your shoes.

[Gennz18]

The only circumstances where I think it is required to turn down an upgrade is if you are travelling with your partner and kids and one of you is offered an upgrade which would leave the other down the back with the kids. Otherwise it’s survival of the fittest.

I’ve travelled NZ-Europe virtually every year for the last 15 years and no one should ever refuse an upgrade for a 12 hour flight.

I wangled an upgrade for me, DH and DS once (am a frequent flyer) - only a 4 hour flight so not that long but long enough to enjoy it. When we checked in I pretended I’d just upgraded myself just to see DH’s reaction. The person behind the desk said “you might be joking but it happens allllll the time” 😲 Usually because the dad has status through work travel, takes the upgrade & leaves mum in cattle class with the kids.

[Rottencooking]

If you were travelling with one other person and left them on their own YWBU, but that's not the case therefore you weren't. You were the only one sat by yourself!

[AlexaAmbidextra]

but you do then need to take the first opportunity to defer to the comfort of your friends during the holiday to make up for it - eg "you all get to pick which bed/which sun lounger/_whatever before me because I got more rest during the flight, you list be more knackered than me."

Are people really so petty? Which sun lounger?

[DoubleDaffodil]

DH is a frequent flyer and often gets an upgrade on a flight when we are travelling together.

I never mind him sitting at the front & leaving me at the back. He will always come & visit me & bring me little treats.

[annabelindajane]

Would def have upgraded for a 12 hr flight and hopefully left 3 people with 4 seats , if they were good friends they might feel slightly resentful
But hopefully they would just be happy about it .

[viques]

annabelinda I don't think the three friends will be left with four seats. They have oversold economy , the passengers have all turned up and so now the booking in staff are juggling numbers to get as many people on the plane as they can.

[leafy22]

Good for you!! True friends would be thrilled for you and not jealous. Well maybe jealous a bit but if so they would keep it to themselves and not be whiny about it lol.

[BottleOfJameson]

Unless your 'friends' are actually young children who need you to look after them I would definitely take the upgrade and would never resent a friend doing the same. Surely if you sat together after an hour or so you'd all try to sleep or watch a film with headphones on anyway. If one of you has a chance to be more comfortable go for it.

[TheGoalIsToStayOutOfTheHole]

12 hour flight..fuck yeah I would be doing anything to make it better!

[Wholovesorangesoda]

I also feel like the journey is part of the holiday so would think it was bu, but having never been on a 12 hour flight I couldnt say whether I might feel differently about a long haul flight!

[Tink2007]

I would have done - you weren’t leaving any of your friends to sit alone. It would be different if you were travelling with one friend and it would leave them on their own (well for me anyway).

[DoubleDaffodil]

I also feel like the journey is part of the holiday

The only people who think like this are people who don't fly a lot.

The OP is clearly a frequent flyer, so has a different view of things.

[augustboymummy17]

I think it 3 of you were upgraded and the other wasn't it would be ur but they all still had each other