Children in economy with parents in first class

[Birdsbeesandtrees]

Seen a quote from Gordon Ramsey this morning saying he does this.

The quote is "He added that they don’t even allow their children sit with them in first class on family holidays because they “haven’t worked hard enough” to afford it yet.
“I turn left with Tana and they turn right and I say to the chief stewardess, ‘Make sure those little f–kers don’t come anywhere near us, I want to sleep on this plane.’

I worked my f–king ass off to sit that close to the pilot and you appreciate it more when you’ve grafted for it.”

I was really shocked. Is this normal ? I've never flown first class by the way so I honestly have no idea.

Do people do this ?

We do this sometimes: usually though we pay for premium economy for the children and use air miles to get business class seats for ourselves. They love the time together watching movies, chatting and generally catching up with each other. We've done it since the youngest was about 12 and so perfectly able to look after them self. They know we couldn't afford the same holiday if we all went business and say they would rather we spend the money on the fortnight's holiday not the 10 hour flight.

But I would never call them by a derogatory name.

Having said which, I once bumped into GR when I was out for the evening with my aged MIL and he was unbelievably charming and nice to her and made sure someone found us a table despite us not having booked. I think he even kissed her and now she will never hear a bad word said about him!

He's taking the piss, they all go in first class. He says this shit to wind people up and get them talking about him....seems to work, hey?

What's wrong with this? The kids are teenagers, not toddlers. Why SHOULD they sit in First Class? I did the same with my kids (once they were old enough). Also when staying in hotels or on cruise ships, the parents get the suite, and kids get the standard rooms.They still et a lovely holiday and I fail to see the problem.

But he has so much money I do hope he helps them out a little rather than watch them struggle. Which I'm sure he would. I hope.

I can't bring myself to care. They will have so many advantages in life, unlike a lot of other ordinary kids.

They aren't that old and he's probably done it for years. I find it odd, if I could ever afford it id want to share the experience with my kids. He should sit in economy with his kids. He's such an idiot

He's got a new show on afternoon telly I think, probably a bit of publicity generating going on, saying things like this. Oh Gordon , you're a one aren't you?

His kids are teens though, aren't they? Old enough to fly by themselves never mind just in another section.

Cant feel upset about this even though I dont like GR.

If they arent teens then it's fucked up.

Ha Ha. It is a bit of a joke - fun from Mr Ramsay. Of course they are all travelling in same class 😂😂😂

The thought of being separated from my dc in an emergency would be the biggest factor in stopping me doing this - I'm surprised more people don't think like this! I think any child who regularly boards a plane is pretty privileged tbh, regardless of the class they sit in - I didn't go abroad until I paid for myself as an adult and I think that is probably true of many people. I certainly don't intend to deprive my dc of travel opportunities because I had none as a child - which would be along the same as saying dc shouldn't sit in first class with their parents because they shouldn't have these things handed to them on a platter.

Surely he must be joking about the kids travelling in economy whilst he is in first? I totally agree with him not giving his kids money so that they can be self sufficient when they grow up.

Can't get outraged about some privileged kids being 'forced' to fly economy.

So essentially people want luxury travel but can't really afford it so shove the kids in cheap seats so they can have the nice bit for themselves. Dont want to sit in economy themselves but it's goood enough for the kids. Why not just send the kids to the local campsite and stay in a nice hotel yourselves too. After all why should the kids get a hotel ?

It's not really a huge hardship but it screams tight and wanting to live the highlife beyond what you can really afford to me. If you can't afford to all fly together in first you should be in economy instead.

So essentially people want luxury travel but can't really afford it so shove the kids in cheap seats so they can have the nice bit for themselves.

Whatever you think of it, it's fairly widespread among people who are rich past the dreams of avarice, so I don't think 'tightness' is the issue. When I was flying back and forth to Abu Dhabi a long time ago, you would see the nanny and children coming up from the back to rejoin parents who'd travelled first when we landed.

In some cases, it's perfectly possible that the logic had nothing to do with cost but was essentially 'I've brought the nanny to look after the kids on the flight, so I don't want them bothering me in First, so they can all sit in economy together.'

My kids travel with me in first.

I could've sworn I saw Ramsey and his family in first before

Maybe I need an eye test

I read that Sinnita did this, kids were with the nanny in economy.

Lots of people who fly first do this (I never have btw!) and put the nanny in the back with the kids.

One of the reasons I imagine (not necessarily for the Ramsays of course) is that if you are flying on a reward (i.e. air miles) flight, as lots of frequent flyers / people with lots of air miles do, there are a limited number of rewards seats released in each cabin so sometimes it is eg not possible to book the whole party in one class. Or no desire to do so...! It is a bit of a pain actually (cue world's smallest violin) - we have squillions of air miles but struggle to use them up as with three children (5, 3 and 1) it is hard to get four seats in first or bizzo. takes cover

I have heard that GR is a nice chap in everyday life.

I'm not sure why there are so many people that treat their children like second class citizens compared to themselves though. My parents did it to a degree and it was awful for us! My children are afforded any luxuries that the adults are, I don't see why they wouldn't be?

First isn't really much good for keeping an eye on young kids, the seats being designed for privacy. You're not within easy reach.

I would never do this, DS is always in first with us, we only have the one though

Well obviously he wants a bit of publicity for his new show so it's bullshit, but if working hard is a requirement for being in first class then he should be strapped to the fucking wing. Being on telly and swearing is not working hard.

I couldn't do it. I can see that the kids might actually relish the freedom but....I would be worried about an emergency situation. What if I wasn't there with them when something terrible happened? nervous flyer? Me? Never!

When I lived in dh's home country and taught in the British international school there, it was quite common among the rich parents to leave their dcs in economy with the nannies. I guess it's how the other half lives! One summer we were returning from London and I found one of my ex pupils in economy class while his parents were in business or first. He took ds, who was then 18 months old, from me for a while and played with him, bless him. He turned out lovely despite having such cold parents.