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

Sounds like you came to the same conclusion as my parents in the end (they celebrated their 50th anniversary before COVID). So glad you sorted it all out : )

The puzzling flight wasn’t for their 50th btw - I think that would have been unromantic!

I have fibro & CFS, along with other medical issues, & I would never sit separate from my partner or child on a flight because I might need their support during it.
Seats near the doors have extra leg room so maybe consider that if it is leg room he needs.
We do go to a specific chain of cinema where we live despite it being a bit pricier because the seats are more comfortable for me so I get where he is coming from on the comfort factor & the trying to prevent knock on pain & suffering with more comfort while sitting but again it is one or none for us in this situation too.
This would be a we save up & all travel together situation for me too so YANBU in my opinion.

You should both save and the whole family fly business class then

I do get it - he needs it for his health condition - but equally I think it sends a bad message to DS. He’s going to see Dad going into business and Mum in economy. Business has a lot more to it than just the seat room. Wouldn’t an extra leg room seat do for getting the extra space?

Theres a lot about business class that makes it more suitable for ND people than economy but I think few families would pay fo the ND family
member to sit in business and the rest in economy?

So I think you should save up and all fly business if the extra leg room seat won’t cut it for some reason.

The child already knows that his father has a serious, life-limiting illness. What do you mean by ND- neurodiverse? The father is not ND, he is physically disabled.

Have you ever flown business? There’s quite a difference

Oh dear

Depends how good your child is on a plane. If they're old enough and/or fine then I would happily go economy to save the money.

How about premium economy? But in principle, if you think he is in genuine discomfort and it really would help then I would (grudgingly) accept, I've never paid for business, but it's nice when you're upgraded!

The “child” is 17

To take that in reverse order-

ND - I do mean neurodiverse. I’m not saying the father is ND, I mean it would be another equally valid reason why flying business might benefit someone. I thought that was clear. I’m just observing that I’ve never come across a family splitting for a flight for this reason.

Re your first paragraph, of course the child knows of the father’s illness. I just think splitting in this way creates the impression of “Dad is more important than Mum”. Or it risks that.

Not more important but sicker & less able

Yes - all over the world, economy and business. You’re still stuck in a tin can.

He needs it
You want it.

YABVU

What airline???

I have flown BA and Virgin

i slept like a baby on the lie flat, enjoyed a drink at the bar and even had a hand massage. And the truffle mash was better than any mash I’ve enjoyed before or since

you were robbed if you see little difference to economy

This. You sound salty and put out.

You told him you didn’t think it was “appropriate” that he should sit in business class without you - why?

He has fibromyalgia and MS…?
It doesn’t sound like he wants to upgrade to be flashy, or travel luxuriously; he has a genuine medical need that could be helped by upgrading to a bigger seat pitch with more comfortable surroundings.

Is it really necessary for you and your child to upgrade to business too? Wouldn’t you rather have the extra as spending money on your trip…?

When all is said and done, if the Op wants to save up so that they can all sit together then why not?

Plenty of people without medical conditions go business.

Sure. But if that's all it amounts to, why bother asking here about it?

OP. You came to a good conclusion. BTW sleeper trains sound so much more fun than bc. Enjoy wherever you go.

Not sure I see the issue here, him being more comfy should not make you feel uneasy. It's either you are all uncomfortable, or none? I dont see the problem with allowing him to have some more comfort and saving some money that you can then put towards more luxuries in your holidays as you see fit. But you do what you think will bring you the most potential fulfillment, whether its biz class seats, or spa days during your holidays

Clearly all the people saying business class is not much different don’t fly business. Hilarious. Business with a decent airline is a world apart from cramped economy.

Long haul, absolutely. The ability to lie flat is a game changer. I’m not sure many people would believe it till they see it.

I fly business with BA, long haul every couple of months. It’s absolutely worth it for the comfort and the ability to sleep properly. I also like flying alone so I’d quite like it if my travelling companions were in another cabin 😂