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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think soon it won’t be socially acceptable to fly

327 replies

Pigletspal · 18/05/2020 09:43

I’m sad because I’ve been saving up for 6 years to go on holiday. I want to go to South America and Southeast Asia next year. I’ve also just got a job with a decent wage and I have been looking forward to much to making holidays a regular thing.

But they’re about to get more expensive aren’t they?

And suddenly I feel guilty about wanting to fly. One of my friends has already said that she will be going on “one last” foreign holiday and then stopping due to climate change.

And I really want to save the planet too. I’m just sad that it’s all going this way.
Am I overreacting or shall I get used to the idea my travelling days are numbered?

OP posts:
Lanurk · 18/05/2020 09:55

“I really want to save the planet too” but you also want to fly all over the shop. The two aren’t compatible sorry

PhoneLock · 18/05/2020 09:58

You could buy a sailing boat.

LaurieFairyCake · 18/05/2020 09:58

I DO hope that flying will lesten but that doesn't mean you can never fly - most of the problem is business flights

You can buy carbon offset (tree planting/green energy) for flights - it's not expensive, think it's about £10-£15 so if you're spending thousands on a flight it won't add much Smile

GunungBatur · 18/05/2020 10:00

Good, so it should be too!
It's ok to have a couple of amazing long haul journeys in your while life, but people that fly all over, a trip to a European city every month? It's not necessary, and it is causing huge problems.

This virus has shown- suddenly my husband's colleagues can all work from home, and have video-conferences instead of hopping on an aeroplane and losing a day's working time. There's absolutely no need to be physically co-located to work together in their industry. (mine's a little different).

mrsBtheparker · 18/05/2020 10:00

Of course it won't. other than to the professional complainers for whatever reason. Flying is, worldwide, so entrenched in our lives it will continue but it will be more expensive.

SharonasCorona · 18/05/2020 10:02

And I really want to save the planet too. I’m just sad that it’s all going this way.

Er, climate change was a thing before coronavirus Confused

This reads like a pity party because you think prices will go up.

saints2020 · 18/05/2020 10:03

There will be a lot less flying for at least the next couple of years, and perhaps longer if some airlines never recover to their pre Covdi 19 levels.

I think it will not become socially unacceptable in the way say that smoking indoors as become.

Mascotte · 18/05/2020 10:03

I cannot bloody wait to fly somewhere. Anywhere!

gingerscot · 18/05/2020 10:05

^^This

Shoxfordian · 18/05/2020 10:06

No it won't be socially unacceptable although it depends what your social group is like

YouJustDoYou · 18/05/2020 10:06

Ha! No.

Fluffybutter · 18/05/2020 10:06

We sadly live for our holidays and seeing the world , we fly once a year and I won’t stop just because some people think it’s not acceptable

Hugglespuffed · 18/05/2020 10:06

I can't wait to get back on a plane, my sibling lives far away. I've had two trips cancelled this year, one to visit my sibling and one for a wedding. I'm gutted. I think it feels strange at the moment but once things get back to normal, it will not feel unusual getting back to flying.

Ajollygoodwrap · 18/05/2020 10:07

You could travel other ways. It doesn't have to be over and I don't think flying would become socially unacceptable any time soon.

I hope the friend who wants to go on one last foreign holiday won't bat an eye afterwards when others are still flying. For all she knows, each person she sees could be going on their one last holiday too. Smile

Lockheart · 18/05/2020 10:07

I don't think it will become socially unacceptable, but I do think it should be far more expensive than it is and we will have to fly less.

It shouldn't cost £30 to fly hundreds (or thousands) of miles to Europe in only a few hours. As a society we've been so blinded by the fact we're getting something for cheap that we didn't stop to wonder whether that was a good thing or not.

KurriKawari · 18/05/2020 10:08

Cannot wait to go on holiday.

Hugglespuffed · 18/05/2020 10:08

Additionally, I love culture and as much as I love the UK and often visit different parts and enjoy the countryside and coast, I really think it is valuable to experience other cultures. For me it is at least.

MotheringShites · 18/05/2020 10:09

I don’t think it will become universally socially unacceptable. Most of the people I know are already itching to get away abroad.

I suspect it may go back to being too expensive for many.

SomeoneElse1 · 18/05/2020 10:09

Flying will become the preserve of the rich because the airlines will have to make up the shortfall by hiking up the prices.

Budget airlines will become a thing of the past,and the foreign holiday will go back to being a once-in-a-lifetime thing rather than something everyone does every year.

I don’t think it will be socially unacceptable,but it will be unaffordable,and if you can afford to do it you will be judged by those who can’t, who will be the majority.

bibliomania · 18/05/2020 10:09

Take the train. Eurostar, a couple of trains to Russia, then trans-siberian to Asia. Long haul trips for short stays will be a problem, but big trips can still happen, with getting there being part of the adventure.

Hugglespuffed · 18/05/2020 10:11

@Lockheart I disagree about it needing to be more expensive. That will just create a bigger divide for less fortunate people.
Yes, we should maybe fly less, but the cost going up will mean more people don't get the chance to experience other cultures.

squashyhat · 18/05/2020 10:11

I'm with @Mascotte. I have had to cancel a trip to Canada this summer and I'm absolutely gutted. As soon as I can be I'll be booking a flight somewhere far far away.

NiteFlights · 18/05/2020 10:11

I agree with Lockheart.

I think over-frequent flying is already fairly socially unacceptable. This trend should continue, flights should be much more expensive, but people should still be able to enjoy travelling. It’s not all or nothing, but businesses and frequent travellers should rethink.

Quartz2208 · 18/05/2020 10:15

I think Business flying will change. I imagine many companies are realising that meetings can be done remotely.

Flights for tourism is a tricky one as tourism underpins the economy of quite a lot of countries and people should be able to enjoy it

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 18/05/2020 10:15

People will be back on planes and enjoying holidays in no time.

No way will this put people off travel, maybe for a while but not for good.

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