Kirstie: Why I go business class while my children f ly economy
FOR Kirstie Allsopp, it’s a simple way to keep her children from getting airs and graces – and save a lot of money en route.
While she enjoys the luxuries that come with flying business class, such as endless champagne, gourmet dinners and comfy beds, she puts her boys in economy seats.
The Location, Location, Location presenter, 46, said upgrading her sons Bay, 12, and Oscar, ten, would be an ‘absurd waste of money,’ and she and her partner Ben Anderson regularly sit away from their children while travelling.
‘If I’m going to spend money, it’s on the holiday itself rather than the flights,’ the Channel 4 star said.
‘When we fly as a family, the boys do fly separately from Ben and me if we’re not in economy together.
‘Obviously this wasn’t the case when they were little but now they are big enough to sit separately they do. Club class should be a huge treat you’ve worked hard for. If kids get used to it, what do they have to work towards? It seems like an absurd waste of money and very spoiling.’
Miss Allsopp’s decision not to splash out on her children’s comseveral fort while flying sparked indignation on social media.
‘Fine if you don’t want to spoil your children but at least fly with them,’ fumed one Twitter user.
Another commented: ‘ Don’t want the kids to go business? Travel economy with them! #BadParentingDecisions.’
But others said the children may enjoy the independence.
One said: ‘I bet the children have a great time and feel really grown up sitting together away from Mum’s prying eyes. If there any major problems I’m sure she would be there in a flash.’
Miss Allsopp, who is the eldest child of Charles Henry Allsopp, sixth Baron Hindlip, has posted holiday photos online, including trips to the Bahamas, Greek islands, Turkey, Kenya and New York.
The presenter, who is estimated to earn around £500,000 a year, is known for her tips on frugality, having written books on transforming homes on the cheap.
She is not the only celebrity who makes her children fly separately. TV cook and father of four Gordon Ramsay last year revealed that he also does not upgrade his youngsters when they go on holiday.
Ramsay, who is worth about £35million, said: ‘They get entertainment on their iPads. I don’t want them sat there with a ten-course f****** menu with champagne. It is my wife’s and my choice to keep them real.
‘They haven’t worked anywhere near hard enough to afford that. I worked my f****** arse off to sit that close to the pilot and you appreciate it more when you’ve grafted for it.’
The Michelin star chef, 51, and wife Tana, 43, have children Megan, 20, twins Holly and Jack, 18, and Matilda, 16.
Miss Allsopp caused a stir in 2014 by saying that if she had a daughter, she would advise her to avoid university and focus instead on getting a flat, a boyfriend and having children.
‘I bet they have a great time’