To not pay for DSS to travel Business Class?

[Donewithitt]

Looking at booking flights UK to Australia for DH and I. We weren’t sure if DSS (18) would want to come as it’s to see family. Mentioned it to DSS and he’s keen to come, and might stay for longer. We are only going for 2 weeks due to work commitments. We are ready to book now, DSS hasn’t worked out what he wants to do yet. AIBU to book DH and I business class flights now while they are still reasonably priced then DSS can travel in economy once he knows what he wants to do. Also we won’t be paying for his travel forever so want him to realise that!

😂😂

Rookie error was to fess up in OP that you are a step mother.

Had you posted “Young adult DS has been offered free ticket to Oz but is faffing around and business rockets in price next week, should we book our tickets and he will have to take economy if he hasn’t decided by then” the answers would be different.

The vast majority of travelers fly economy - it isn’t moldy bread, it’s just bread.

I feel guilty when I bring my children into business class because it sets unreasonable expectations. We are doing an upcoming family holiday in economy plus rather than the usual business and I am having to explain to my 7yo that they won’t be able to lie flat.it is a ridiculous expectation, but they are feeling a bit put out and I am having educate on the privilege
.

I would be fine with this. About 16 and under they’d travel whatever class we are asn after that they should realise the value of money and what a privilege it is. But I’ve seen the effects of children not learning privilege - the teens complaining to parents because the hotel for the school trip wasn’t 5 star, the teens complaining to parents because there were no hair dryers on the hiking trip, too many examples to list. I grew up traveling business. As an adult I’ve travelled business once with work- you are setting children up for a better life if they are comfortable in economy. Unlike the tosser relation who told another relation who will never be able to afford business ever that once you travel business you really can’t ever go back. So I’m quite opinionated on this one.

As some pp have said, offering to pay for business class for the ss if he says yes now or economy if he faffs about seems very fair.

I'm surprised at the number of people saying it's normal for parents to travel business and kids to travel economy. That's horrible!

We always travel economy anyway because business is too expensive for us but even if we could afford it, I just can't imagine doing that and telling dd she had to go and sit in the back in economy.

Can all the wicked step mother posts just stop!
OP has a husband. Husband is the young adult's own father and is happy to pay for an economy seat.
That aside what world do some people live in where they'd feel hard done by if their paid for ticket to Oz was only economy class?

I would let him do economy. He's not sure he's coming, he's 18 not a little baby being left in cargo because his wicked stepmother agrees with his father that economy is not some male Cinderello being punished for something. If I was him, getting a free ticket to travel across the world. Probably for longer than a fortnight, being included with the family for an amazing holiday and, he might bring someone along who you're also happy to pay for but only in scum seats apparently.

Hellzapoppin! You are doing nothing wrong, you're great parents to want to do this for him and you deserve business class. My guess is he'll appreciate what you're doing and if he doesn't then he's a silly young man. You're not being unreasonable at all. Wicked Stepmother!

YANBU. It’s a relatively short trip, it’s Australia…book business for you and DH. An 18 year old is lucky to have such an amazing opportunity…don’t think it’s a hardship for them to travel economy.

MNers as ever mad keen to spend other people's money 😂

And what a lucky young man he is getting his ticket bought for him. Economy is perfect - he's more than old enough to travel alone, but young enough that a bit of discomfort is no big deal.

Seriously 100% ok for adult child to be in economy. Give him the choice if U want … economy or £1,000 cash

mine would take the cash every time

Agree.The average person whatever their age fly economy in the real world!

This is the way to go.

I think @Donewithitt is fine since she is paying for both him and his girlfriend. Why should she be buying business class flights for his girlfriend, beck she shouldn’t even be paying for his girlfriend so buying economy for both of them is fine.

Also you can make it conditional were buying our tickets now, if you can’t decides and prices go up, that’s on you, but I wouldn’t be paying business class for his girlfriend.

Just talk to him? Hi ss, I'm booking our Australia flights now. Have you decided what you are doing yet? If you want to fly business with us then you have to pick now otherwise because of cost going up it'll be economy for you. Let me know what you want to do.

Hahahahahahaha free economy flight for him and his girlfriend to Australia is now equivalent to eating moldy bread, what a dumb comparison.

I agree

Good idea

Oo I didn’t realise we still did the ‘Wicked Stepmother’ trope in 2025. Well done you.

A primary age child my daughter was at school with, was left in Economy while her parents flew First Class to China.

Jesus Christ on a bike. I never understood how people grew up to be angry and self-centred and lacking in empathy until I read this post. What appalling parenting.

If it was just the three of you, given that he's only 18, I'd be paying for business. But I'd be making him commit right away and potentially offering it as a birthday/Christmas prezzie.

But if he has a GF/friend coming, that's a different story. Unless their family are paying/contributing, they go cattle together.

It's absolutely fine for him to travel economy. The fact you're taking him at all is a privilege, I'm sure (hope) he appreciates.

Anyway, it's not your responsibility to fly him business class, he has a dad that can do that if he wants.

Don't pay any attention to the many bitter women on this site who will always go against a step mother. No matter what she does.

It is hardly child abuse to make an 18 year old fly economy (technically they are adults). The difference in price between business class and economy would be substantial if they are going to Australia. Surely he is lucky to be going at all. The parents are older and more likely to have health issues on a flight of that length meaning upgrading is sensible. An 18 year old has no such health issues and is lucky to be going at all.

Only here could a person get slagged off for offering to pay for another adults carriage to the other side of the world.

Anything is extremely generous and the opposite of being a wicker step-mother. Most people don’t have somebody that would be willing to shell out on such an experience for them.