There was an Australian comedy show called Kath & Kim, which lampooned suburban Australian life. The stars are famous Australian comedians, primarily Gina Riley, Jane Turner and Magda Szubanski. One skit in particular resonates, as we all have a friend who announces flying at the pointy end.
Aussie’s like to fly, partly because you need to fly to get out of the country. Our flights are long and everyone seems to be a frequent flyer. Both Qantas and Virgin Australia boast memberships of around 15 million people. Not bad for a country of 25 million people!
That Friend Who Announces It When Flying Business Class
I have to admit, I have been guilty of this in the past. When I bought my around the world ticket in 2004, I naturally told people I was going abroad. Luckily I had a business class ticket and I told everyone about it.
This particular skit pretty much shows how I would have told people at the time. It’s pretty spot on and we all know a friend who announces it just like this, to all and sundry.
https://youtu.be/X21Drro069o
For some people, it’s a bit of an event when flying business class, especially when you don’t do it often. I imagine many people are guilty of this.
It’s not just business class, it could be first class, some kind of suites, any kind of special flying. You have to let people know your excitement at doing it. Part of the reason is that business class flights in Australia are very expensive, so not everyone has the means to do it.
Overall Thoughts
Jane Turner embodies that friend who announces flying business class very well indeed. It is a very accurate and amusing look at those kinds of people.
Have you been guilty of doing this in the past? Know a friend who announces it just like this? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Shahram Sharifi on Airliners.net via Wikimedia Commons.
OH NO! GUILTY AS CHARGED! HAH!
Hahaha 😛
I don’t post photos of my class of travel nor do I tell others about it UNLESS it is with people who are also points and miles enthusiasts who have done it and or capable of doing it.
Interesting! I have a habit of still doing Facebook location check-ins at airport lounges, for example. Plus, if I have Wi-Fi on a flight, I’ll usually always post some food from there when flying business class. Everyone is different. Thanks for the comment!
I mostly try to keep my mouth shut about what class I’m flying unless it’s close family or I’m asked. It’s bad enough that in normal times people ask me where I’m going on my next trip. Being snooty about it by extolling the virtues of Cathay first class or whatnot would make me That Guy.
Separately, is it my imagination or is the woman’s accent really thick? I’ve discovered that one or two Australians go to Bali (who knew?) and I’ve never had problems understanding them but I really have to strain to make out the woman in the video.
I don’t find it snooty… if someone said they were flying something that I hadn’t, I would ask if they had before and ask what it was like, but I’m curious like that and flying is my thing.
She is deliberately doing an exaggerated accent for comedic effect in the video. As a person she would be perfectly understandable. It never crossed my mind that it would be difficult to understand, but nice to know 🙂
I wouldn’t find it snooty either but I think that we may be in minority in that we wouldn’t take it badly ourselves. If nothing else I suppose I’d rather be a little extra careful than not careful enough on the social proprieties front. I do get a chuckle out of the irony of my saying one thing but doing another, even with the best of intentions.
That’s very true! Speaking to humans about things is such a minefield at times!!
I remember talking with friends we made in Buenos Aires. They were all excited that they’d gotten an op-up to premium economy on their BA long-haul to EZE. It was that moment where it really hit me how much of a total jerk I’d be if I responded with how we’d flown American business class. I’ve been a lot more conscious about discussing travel style with non-points/miles/travel folks.
Oh in that case I probably wouldn’t mention it, you have to let people enjoy their moment in the sun and not jump over their joy. Otherwise I’m pretty open about it really, especially when I try to point out the flight prices. One girl at work flew Dublin to Brisbane two days after Christmas for a three week trip. Her Etihad flights in economy were €1,800. I like to point out that while I am flying QR next time, it cost me €2,200 in business class. It helps to put it into perspective as so many people think it’s outrageously expensive. It often is, but with deals, it can be very close to an economy fare. Different times of year of course, but even so!
Agreed. I also like to highlight the value that I get on flights, whether paid or awards, and I do this *especially* when I do mention we’re flying business class.
I think they paid like €700 per person (x5 people), which really isn’t a bad deal to South America from Ireland. But when can say you spend just $5.60 for business on your way down?? I kept my mouth shut.
Hahaha! Not a bad deal for them and an outstanding one for you, of course 🙂
Many of the newer business/first class cabins are so unique and amazing that sometimes I can’t help but post them on Facebook or Instagram. Hey, many of my friends posts many pics of their food or their children, why not my trips. 🙂
Hahaha! It has to be done! If it’s good enough for people to show the kids, it’s good enough for us to show it when we’re excited by a flight 🙂