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!

Of course yanbu.
He is lucky to be included.

No way! Why should he get a business class flight?! 🤣

If he can't make his mind up then just do it.

No it’s not, it’s like going to a fancy restaurant and telling your kids that no, they can’t have the foie gras for starters and the chateaubriand as their main, even if their parents are.

Thanks for giving a good example. Do you actually think it would be reasonable to go to a restaurant with your child and say that they can't have the food that you're having?

Abso-fucking-lutely!

Happens most weekend in this house. My kids are very privileged. I spend a fortune on their education. They have generous pocket money. We live in a lovely part of London. Their friends are welcome night and day. They have everything they could possibly want.

But they know their place. They know that they are not equal to my DH and I. That we work fucking hard to provide them with the lifestyles they lead. And so they know not to take the piss.

I am in my mid 20s, if my parents stumped up a free holiday to Australia I wouldnt care where I sat on the bloody plane.

If anything its set an example that you have to earn these things on your own merit.

Each to their own. I don't think I'm superior to my adult children.

I’m not one that says OP is evil if she gets him economy while she and her DH go business but if she can afford it and it’s relatively cheaper now then it’s fine if she gives him the ultimatum. But I changed my tune when OP said she was also paying for his girlfriend, in that case they both fly economy. They should be grateful for the free tickets.

I’m talking about my teenage children, not adult. And yes, I am superior to them.

You are definitely being very reasonable. I live in Australia and it’s expensive to fly between UK and Oz. And DSS is young enough to cope in economy and it will give him a sense of independence while on the family holiday.

It surely depends on your household income level. Also tell him make a decision as you are booking yours at that level and he has another day or whatever to decide. Speak to him, really a non-issue.

DH thinks it’s a good life lesson for DSS and also marks the transition between adult and child holidays. Obviously previously what even cabin we’ve been in he has, everything from easy jet to BC to Australia (last year). He’s previously said he isn’t bothered, but it’s a long flight and I think I’d find it hard going in economy now! He might not even be on the same flight as us - might go earlier stay later. We pay for all his hotels / meals etc when we get there - so I don’t think he is getting too bad a deal. But there is a part of me that wants to treat him - but it’s a lot of money and I get DH point that you have to earn the nice things and we could do more with that money for him that he’d see the benefit from.

I knew someone would give her a hard time about not doing the cheapest possible thing at all possible times.

Maybe minors, but come on… he’s 18?

Normal? Do you mean common?

Unless he has special needs economy will be fine. LOLing at all these people who find it essential to travel together. When we fly DH goes business and I go economy as this makes most sense. He is over 6’ and has health issues that would genuinely be impacted in an economy seat. I am 5’ exactly, do not find economy space an issue whatsoever with leg room and can sleep just fine sitting up no issues (including really long haul). I would much rather the $$$ saved were in our bank account.

When we pay for kids to come, they go economy. While most are tall like DH, they are young and can concertina themselves with no impact to health🤣. If there was a health impact, we’d happily pay for a business seat, but not if there is no NEED and it’s just comfort related, they can suck up 24/36 hours of being a bit cramped up in exchange for a free ticket.

You'll be in fancy company. Gordon Ramsey, Kirstie Allsop and Robbie Williams have been seen flying first with the kids in economy. And Lily Allen has admitted doing it.

He's 18 - it's not as if he needs entertaining.

Enjoy your trip

He’s 18! It’s very kind of you to pay for his flights at all. He’ll be perfectly fine in economy class by himself.

Even if they are on a different flight or have a friend with them?

Why do you think they are not on a budget? I don’t get that impression

I wouldn’t be encouraging an 18 year old to spend their money on flying business class, they should save it for other things and not be encouraged to waste it

"Short trip" is a relative term.

Relative to where you are in the world.

if you're in the Southern Hemisphere then the journey will be relatively short.

if you're in UK or mainland Europe, the journey to Australia is definitely not short, hence why it's called long haul, because it's a bloody long way!

Business class is definitely worth the money for long haul, it's completely pointless for flights that don't cross numerous time zones, it's the space that really makes a difference and being able to stretch out, economy is so cramped.

OP your DH has said he'd be OK paying for economy for his son so why does you need to discuss it further? His child, his decision,

You'll be in fancy company. Gordon Ramsey, Kirstie Allsop and Robbie Williams have been seen flying first with the kids in economy. And Lily Allen has admitted doing it.

the fact you've used the word "admitted" is a bit of a give away. In other words it makes her look bad.

This is so unhinged lol. Business is a luxury that they can treat themselves to. Paying for his economy flight is also a luxury. If you were him you’d be calling childline because your free flight to Australia wasn’t fancy enough lol

I agree with the posts suggesting that you should agree to book him BC with ye if he gives you an answer confirming his plans reasonably promptly, otherwise it's likely be an economy booking instead.

Wrt booking BC flights for an 18 yo kid, I think ye should if ye can afford it, as ye're flying BC. It's not so much the extra luxury & comfort, though that will make his flight better too of course, however for me, it's more the length of time sat on the flight going to very far away destinations, seated away from ye surrounded by strangers instead. It would be different if there were 2 kids to keep each other company say, or if there was a friend or gf with your dss, but if he's on his own, I think it's only nice that he travels alongside ye if possible for all sorts of reasons.
(More sociable, secure inclusive, etc, etc etc)