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“Ghastly.” Prince Phillip Reviews Economy Class

The royal family maintains a travel budget that taxpayers in the United Kingdom cover, and it governs how the family flies—and Prince Philip, no stranger to heavy-handed opinions, had some choice words for the state of economy class on airplanes, though it seems like he’s never actually flown it himself.

The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip and his wife, The Queen, are some of the most well traveled monarchs in history—thanks to taxpayers, who foot the bill for their excursion transportation, be it official or otherwise. The family has traveled all around the globe, generally on commercial jets, sometimes on private jets, and in the case of The Queen, often on passenger trains.

Recently, though, Prince Philip made his feelings known about flying commercial planes in the lowest class, never one to shy away from a polarizing opinion.

“If you travel as much as we do, you appreciate the improvements in aircraft design of less noise and more comfort—provided you don’t travel in something called economy class, which sounds ghastly,” Prince Philip told the Aircraft Research Association, reported by the Express.

Both Prince Philip and The Queen have begun to slow their traveling as they age, leaving it up to their kids and grandchildren to rack up what can sometimes be extravagant travel bills; Prince Charles apparently angered much of the country when he traveled to Romania, Italy, and Austria. The trip cost nearly $200,000.

 

[Image: Wikimedia/Steve Punter]

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26 Comments
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Peadar January 22, 2019

Perhaps he's not required to wear a seat belt whilst flying either.

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flying_geek January 17, 2019

@ BC Shelby: I live in South Florida and sometimes drive past the WP airport, every time I have been there (and he was), it was the VC25 - Melania by herself usually arrives in a VC32A. Also, I really don't think I was bashing Trump - I was merely trying to use those numbers for comparison. When I bash Trump, I assure you that sounds different. BTW, I have seen Prince Harry in coach on a BA flight (short European flight) a few years back. Him and one security guy. I was in Business for what it's worth ;-)

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chrisboote January 17, 2019

"thanks to taxpayers, who foot the bill for their excursion transportation" - not even slightly true Travel is NOT paid from the civil list, rather from the profits from the Royal Estate And "Also, to say that the BA “first” class is much better than the “European Traveller” would be a bit of a stretch" is another complete fabrication BA do not have a domestic nor short haul 'first' class, only long haul, and it is such a different beast from any economy class, that it's clear nbucking has never flown it

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Cambria January 17, 2019

This Prince Philip quote is from 2002. Hardly made "recently" as the article claims. What's next, Pan Am trip reports?

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John Aldeborgh January 16, 2019

I don’t know why people feel the need to attack Trump when the article was about a comment from a British Royal about the notion of Coach travel. Since Pandora’s box has been opened, and beyond the fact that the President, who ever he/she might be, is required to fly in a prescribed manor. Remember, Trump has very likely lowered his standard of living and works for free, in his current role as POTUS. The fact that he enjoys a little time in his own home is a very reasonable demand.