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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About flying business class

263 replies

KittiKati · 07/01/2023 11:18

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

OP posts:
ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 07/01/2023 11:47

Sort of amazed he would suggest that, tbh.

yaflouloci · 07/01/2023 11:48

KittiKati · 07/01/2023 11:29

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 ☺️🍾

Hmmm they definitely don't pass the free champagne back through the curtain to economy 😆

WandaWonder · 07/01/2023 11:48

QueSyrahSyrah · 07/01/2023 11:41

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 second this, I have been questioned if I am fit and able to sit in them

yaflouloci · 07/01/2023 11:49

There are 'welfare' seats on aeroplanes. Near the loo, by a bulkhead so there is extra space. Is this an option?

ClubhouseGift · 07/01/2023 11:49

KittiKati · 07/01/2023 11:29

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 ☺️🍾

No you couldn’t. You wouldn’t be allowed in that area.

Original poster
KittiKati · 07/01/2023 11:49

yaflouloci · 07/01/2023 11:48

Hmmm they definitely don't pass the free champagne back through the curtain to economy 😆

Show quote history

Aw that’s a shame 🤣

OP posts:
MintChocCornetto · 07/01/2023 11:49

QueSyrahSyrah · 07/01/2023 11:41

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.

Oh yes that's true, I hadn't considered that. Good point.

But in general OP I agree that all of you sit together. If he needs business then you save up until you can sit together as you won't be allowed in the business cabin. He can come to you but if he has mobility difficulties that won't happen.

PiccalilliPops · 07/01/2023 11:49

If you fly with a decent airline that provides decent sized economy seats it might not be necessary at all.

Don't mean to be Debby downer but I’ve flown long haul with BA, Virgin, Emirates, American, Singapore Airlines, Air France and Japanese airlines including on new airbus A380’s. If you are sitting in economy for 8-12 hours on any of those airlines it will not be comfortable u less you are a child of around 10 who can sleep upright. Totally manageable of course, but not comfortable, and it comes down to minor differences in snacks, entertainment systems, age of the aircraft and customer service on board.

KimberleyClark · 07/01/2023 11:53

gogohmm · 07/01/2023 11:33

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.

The business class lounge is nice too!

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 07/01/2023 11:55

Where are you flying to?

Short-haul business is generally a huge waste of money - it's barely any different to economy.

If it's long-haul, 3 x business seats will be really expensive - realistically speaking, how long will you have to save up just to all sit together on the plane for a few hours?

ThalhavaraGoter · 07/01/2023 11:57

Is it long haul? I think you are being unkind, he has fibro and MS. He isn't just prioritising himself for fun. He has also tried economy and found it difficult.

How much longer would you have to wait for a holiday before you could afford business class for all of you? Dh would do this for me in a heartbeat but then he is understanding of the need for a holiday and my chronic medical condition.

We have flown business class but it was long haul. The business lounge element is lovely but the seats, the extra width, the leg room and being able to actually lie flat was bliss. Having done the same flight several times in economy this was life changing.

pattihews · 07/01/2023 12:09

Depends whether you're talking long haul or short haul. On shorter flights business class isn't much different from economy so there'd be very little benefit for him.

On long haul flights, look for the seat sizes and leg room available, the airlines list it. Don't write off economy, particularly if you fly with some of the older established airlines. We choose Singapore Airlines to fly to and from Australia and New Zealand because if you're a relatively standard size, the seats are comfortable and surprisingly large — not at all like economy seats on a short haul flight.

Business class is eye-wateringly expensive for the average ordinary traveller. Premium economy gives you a bit more space but still up to twice the price of economy seats. I can imagine how I'd feel if my partner wanted to travel in comfort and style in business, even if it was for his health, while I was in economy — even though economy isn't that bad. The cost of his flights will eat into what's available for the rest of the family and that's hard to get your head around.

DomPom47 · 07/01/2023 12:17

Waste of money in my opinion. He is sick and would benefit from the leg room in business class. Can’t you just buy yourself a bottle of champagne when you get to your holiday destination and save the rest of the money?

WonderingWanda · 07/01/2023 12:18

The holiday is the important bit for me. I'd rather fly cattle and have more money to spend on treats and fun while I'm there.

I've never flown business or class but I find anything over 2 hrs on plane makes me feel like crap (travel sick, dehydrated, bloated, fidgety, exhausted by entertaining my dd) I can't really see that extra leg room would solve that much apart from maybe the fidgets.

Hadjab · 07/01/2023 12:21

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

Nobody has a ‘need’ to be in business class.

spirit20 · 07/01/2023 12:24

I think you're being incredibly unreasonably. It's not like he just wants to fly busines class because he likes luxury, he has a medical reason. I think it's really selfish to make him feel like he's being awkward for even suggesting it.

If I had a choice between being perfectly healthy and flying economy, or having your DH's medical conditions and flying business, I know which one I'd choose...

crazycrypty · 07/01/2023 12:36

If I was able bodied enough to sit in economy without pain I wouldn't waste the extra money on BC, unless I could easily afford it.

In your position I'd happily sit in economy with DC and save the money.

Where are you flying? Just 8-10 hours to the US? Or a full day type thing to NZ?

RayRai · 07/01/2023 12:41

I am in agreement with your DH. Seems a total waste of money, his reason is fair enough but your reason is so you don't miss out.

Goldbar · 07/01/2023 12:41

How old is your DS?

If under 8, as a compromise could you save up for your DH and DS to fly business class and then you have a nice child-free flight in economy?

PearlclutchersInc · 07/01/2023 12:45

Presumably you have to care for him in some ways? Think you're equally entitled to a more comfortable seat......if that's what you actually get.

On the other hand being aw as y from him might be more peaceful 😉

OnWild · 07/01/2023 13:05

I don't think it's unreasonable and we have often had a business class ticket with economy tickets - largely due to upgrades or flying on work perks. We usually swap around during the flight, perhaps it would be wise to suggest that to him.

There's no point in business class for short-haul flights with most airlines except for the miles and disembarking.

I don't think you are unreasonable to suggest all flying business together either, though I would balance how many holidays and holiday experiences you will miss out by doing this.

Do you collect points?

SavoirFlair · 07/01/2023 13:09

Your DH is not BU.

but man.. how often do we have to do this on Mumsnet - how many people are OBSESSED with business class as being part of the holiday, wanting to be “treated” etc.. how much more could you spend at the other end and your destination in great food and entertainment if you just let go of business class as a thing?

I’ve been flying business 26 years and I am privileged to, but it isn’t the whole holiday for me..

dnaconundrum · 07/01/2023 13:13

I don’t see the benefit of business here, sorry. I fly long haul every month and know aircraft like the back of my hand.

We just had an 11 hour flight and my husband had injuries, we asked to be moved to a comfortable position. BA gave us the baby bit where you can put a basket. More leg room than business!

DuchessOfDisco · 07/01/2023 13:22

how old is ds? How long is the flight?
if he is leaving you in economy with a 2yr old on an 8hr flight your are most definitely not being unreasonable. The compromise would be him and ds could go business, and you take the uncomfortable economy solo.
i think it is unreasonable to expect you to take the shitty seats AND the child care.
however if ds was 13, and you are just going to Spain, then it wouldn’t bother me.

I think you all upgrading to premium economy would be a much better compromise

SavoirFlair · 07/01/2023 13:28

i think it is unreasonable to expect you to take the shitty seats AND the child care.

Mumsnet never fails to deliver … the “shitty seats”… would they be “shitty” if everyone flew them? I doubt it.

it’s always about perception of who has managed to gain a an advantage or benefit over another. Everything has to be split down the middle 50/50 or else a person is a CF. It’s absurd.

Maybe the OP’s DH does a lot for the family in other ways? Perhaps this is the only real way they can actually get off on a holiday together, in which case it’s no real sacrifice to take the childcare for the flight, and perhaps he reciprocated somewhere elsewhere?