Lily Allen has candidly admitted that she will fly first class alone and leave her daughter in the economy section.
The 38-year-old singer-songwriter shares daughters Ethel, 13, and Marnie, 11, with her ex-husband Sam Cooper, whom she divorced in 2018.
During the latest episode of her BBC podcast Miss Me?, which she co-hosts with her childhood friend Miquita Oliver, Allen weighed in on an age-old airline debate.
The ‘Smile’ musician explained that she will be going to London to visit Miquita for her 40th birthday celebrations, but she won’t be sitting next to her daughter on the plane.
“We are flying to London today to come and see you for your birthday. I’m going in first class, she’s going in economy,” she told her friend, as cited by The Mirror.
As the duo laughed, Miquita joked: “Wow, Merry Christmas Ethel,” before asking “You what that is?” To which Allen said, “Selfish?”
Miquita then continued: ‘”The circle of life. That baby is now coming to London because you live in New York for my 40th birthday, which we are having at the end of the road we grew up on.”
Upon hearing her confession, many users have shared their mixed opinions.
The majority disagreed, as one person wrote on Facebook: “Poor little girl sitting alone on an airplane. A mother should sit with her children otherwise don’t take them on an airplane.”
A second chimed in: “What mother would do that? Very sad.. if I had 2 do I would fly economy and let my child do business class,” while a third added: “That’s disgusting…my children would NEVER sit alone on a plane it’s disgusting.”
However, others understand her view, pointing out that some parents “need a break” once in a while.
The ‘Hard Out Here’ singer spoke out about the current “trend” on social media where passengers have said that they won’t give up their seats for children on airplanes.
Miquita agreed: “Fair enough. Why would you give your seat to a kid if you paid for it? It’s not like a train,” but Allen contended that travelers should be mindful of families who haven’t been sat next to each other.
“Quite often when you’re a big group the airline will separate the seats,” she said. “You’ll get to the airport and they’ll tell you your child is sat [away from you] and so when you get on the plane you have to ask people if they don’t mind moving so you can sit next to your children.”
The ‘Not Fair’ vocalists said the situation is “inconvenient” for everyone and added: “But I find it fascinating that it’s now become something that gives you clout on social media.”
She also pointed out that some families may not have had the chance to book seats in advance and that people should learn to be “a bit nicer,” before joking: “Says me who’s putting myself in first class while my child is alone in the back of the plane.”
“I don’t want to sit with my kid,” she added.
