About flying business class

[KittiKati]

DH has fibromyalgia & MS. It’s extremely difficult for him to sit in a plane seat for any length of time whether short or long haul.

We were talking about holidays and he suggested he flies business class and me and DS fly economy. I said I didn’t feel that this was appropriate and would rather save up the extra money and we all fly business class.

He seemed genuinely put out by this and is acting like I am being unreasonable? Interested in other peoples opinions please

Well, I can't say I wouldn't be jealous on the day, but I don't think it's an unreasonable suggestion if you all want to go on holiday together.

If DH is flying business for medical reasons I wouldn't personally bother saving up for us all to fly business together. It seems a massve waste of money. Maybe he could agree to swap meals with you and give you his glass of champagne (if you get one in business) to make it fairer.

He would still have to sit in his seat in business class, wouldn't he?

(I'm making the assumption that DH is being honest when saying the business class seat is necessary for his medical condition)

We did this when I was pregnant. Don’t see the problem tbh.

Depending on the airline (and the aircraft) business can be much more comfortable, and not being hemmed into a row means getting up and down and moving around frequently without disturbing anyone else is much easier.

Yes I think he would sit in his seat in Business Class - it’s about the amount of room he would have to stretch and be more comfortable.

He doesn’t drink alcohol so yes I could definitely have his champagne ☺️🍾

I can see his point- if the bc seat is necessary for his medical condition, it’s fair enough for him to fly bc and you economy. Saying you should all go business makes it sound like you think he’s getting a treat.

OTOH if you really want to go business then save up for it, but don’t make his need for a business class dear a factor.

I wouldn't have a problem with this at all given the his health problem. I think YABU.

I wouldn’t mind if there was a genuine need which it sounds like there is. Be careful if it’s short haul though, I flew 3 hours and upgraded to business both ways due to an injury that makes sitting in a standard seat painful. Was great outbound but the return was just a row of 3 standard chairs which didn’t help at all.

Depends on where you are going. Business class within Europe isn't much different from economy, a little extra leg room, wider seat but the main perks are in flight meal and priority luggage on arrival (aimed at business people in a hurry) it's not that expensive either, £100 more when we did it. Long haul business class seats are amazing but very expensive too, however premium economy is good and I highly recommend it as a half way house for the whole family, lots of room.

I would check the prices of business class first before commenting further, yes you may have already done that

Is it long haul? Short haul business on BA doesn't give you extra leg room really. What about booking a emergency exit seat for extra leg room (unless he'd be unable to move quickly in the event of evacuation...)

I agree that I think his proposal is totally fair, but also that it depends where you are going. I assume long haul for it to be worth it, in which case the price difference is huge (post Covid even bigger than normal). I think business is wasted on a child unless you hate wealthy enough to not have to save for it.

*are, not hate!

If he needs it for his medical condition then I think you are being unreasonable. Okay he gets loads of extra perks that come with it - do you begrudge him those? Living with a medical condition must be shit. Can he not have this nice thing, and use the money saved with 2x economy tickets having a nicer holiday for all 3 of you?

YABU. He isn’t being selfish, he’s trying to combat pain.

You are being selfish and jealous. Not everything has to be the same for everyone. You have no need to be in business class.

Short haul business is no different really from economy on most airlines. Slightly bigger seat and more amenities but it doesn't recline.

Long haul is where the classic business cabin is. But then you'll be on your own with DS for the whole flight which could be a long time.

What is it about the seats in economy that don't work? If it's leg room you could purchase the emergency exit seats in economy. That would be a good compromise and you can all sit together.

What is it about the seats in economy that don't work? If it's leg room you could purchase the emergency exit seats in economy. That would be a good compromise and you can all sit together.

If OP's DH has any kind of mobility difficulty through his conditions the above suggestion won't work; you can't book an exit row unless you are fully mobile and able.

I had to book premium economy last year on a long haul flight due to lack of economy seats/ urgency.
Utterly wasted on me. I am short and probably found tge seats less comfortable if anything. I did think at the time that it would be good for my tall husband and might book us separately next time

Frequent flyer here. In Europe there is next to no difference - there used to be but for example on BA you have the same seats now on most aircraft, it’s just the middle seat in a row of 3 that isn’t used. Plus marginally better food and some perks at the airport re. check in and lounge. Not sure how much better this will be with DH health complaints as will be barely more comfortable, although cheaper than long haul.

Long haul it does make a difference. Huge leg room even when upright and most business class seats will go fully flat (not all though so check) and include duvets and pillows plus nice food etc. You will not be allowed your husbands meal or drinks and depending on aircraft could be quite far away or on top deck. You won’t be permitted to walk into that area either so it will be him visiting you in economy.

Assume you have checked the cost of long haul business flights for all of you? If not going for work and when paying myself I only ever go premium economy or upgrade using miles as just don’t think it’s worth it even with the fully flat beds. It’s value for money not cost.

My partner is v v tall and physically doesn’t fit in economy seats unless legs are at an angle. If we could only pay for an upgrade for him I wouldn’t be bothered in the slightest.

I would rather save the money and only get business class for those who need it.

Having flown numerous times with people with various disabilities including MS, I think YANBU.

It would be more uncomfortable for him to sit in economy, but not impossible. If you fly with a decent airline that provides decent sized economy seats it might not be necessary at all.

He’s not entitled to extra perks any more than you are, especially if they come at your expense, because the impact of his disability will hit you hard too.

😂😂if one goes business class then we would all go. Not a chance would I be sat in economy while my husband was in business! Medical needs or not.

I think you're being a bit unfair. He would have to suffer to sit with you in economy, or you'd want to save a shit load of money to all fly business? Just do what you need to do to get you all on holiday safely and comfortably.