Rich/famous people who don't fly Business/First class
Mar 19, 2019, 11:26 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: No longer loyal "over-entitled" 1K
Posts: 3,822
Mar 19, 2019, 12:36 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,262
Flying in coach doesn't make you a better person. It just means that you (probably) don't have a lot of money. Sometimes (most of the time) I fly coach but a few times I'll save up my money or miles and fly business class, especially on an international flight. I'm not a frequent flyer.
Mar 19, 2019, 3:23 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 48
I am curious..why would this earn them respect? Is there something wrong with flying F or Biz if you can afford it?
Mar 19, 2019, 3:34 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
He was also something of an admirer of Hitler, so where he chose to sit on the aircraft does not change my opinion of him much,
Mar 19, 2019, 3:37 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
Famous people I have seen in economy, all of which were 10+ years ago: Kevin Kline CMH - DCA (twice); Jesse Jackson DCA - ?; and Dr. Ruth (yes, Dr. Ruth!) from DCA - BTV (though that might have been a regional jet). She was a hoot. She got up and worked the plane. Walked up and down the aisles asking everyone if they had any questions. And she just happened to have been on the cover of the USAir magazine that month and kept asking people if they wanted her autograph. It didn't even seem obnoxious because she was so cute.
Mar 19, 2019, 3:41 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,451
I'm certainly not famous but maybe I'm rich. I can certainly afford J every time, but I won't spend on Business for a flight shorter than 4 or 5 hours. And, like Adam Carolla, I'll prefer the WN "bus" out of BUR for any trip staying west of the Rockies.
Living in the US, the biggest advantage to flying J domestically is lounge access (particularly during cxns), imo. But I get that through FF status.
In no way do I view this as indicative of my character, either positively or negatively. Simply a business decision.
Living in the US, the biggest advantage to flying J domestically is lounge access (particularly during cxns), imo. But I get that through FF status.
In no way do I view this as indicative of my character, either positively or negatively. Simply a business decision.
Mar 19, 2019, 3:53 pm
#40
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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When he was DL CEO, Richard Anderson made a point of not only flying domestic coach but reportedly volunteered for middle seats in the back. I would assume that he did the same as DL CEO.
Target is famous for its stingy business travel policies for all employees, so I would assume that all executives without exception fly in basic economy or use a LCC/ULCC.
Target is famous for its stingy business travel policies for all employees, so I would assume that all executives without exception fly in basic economy or use a LCC/ULCC.
Mar 19, 2019, 4:37 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
AKA anyone who raises kids to age 22 without them incurring debt?
Mine got long haul flights in economy to exotic locations, although i didnt fly above econ til i left them behind. now I fly wt+/prem econ and occaisonal CW. But I wont pay for them to, having said this they all work now so they can pay their own frieght.
Mar 19, 2019, 5:43 pm
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 294
I admire thrift & the ability to resist succumbing to creature comforts, particularly in a culture where being crassly ostentatious is glamorized & often admired. I'm not famous and, although not rich, I can afford business class tickets every now and then (in addition to business travel). I know it's hard to resist the comforts & privileges of upper class travel, and traveling in cattle class becomes harder the more you get used to traveling in comfort. So, while these rich & famous aren't quite Gandhian in their spartan lifestyles, they seem to be able to do something I often have trouble with.
Mar 19, 2019, 5:48 pm
#43
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: DL Gold, AA Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 253
Mar 19, 2019, 6:04 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: WLG New Zealand
Programs: NZ *E, AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 102
Mar 19, 2019, 8:05 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 209
There's an argument to be made on the opposite side. Airlines are in the business of making money. Airlines make money from J/F fares. If those who can afford J/F stop paying for J/F, airlines will start raising prices on Y-level fares ... and so taking more from those who can afford it less.
Note: I rarely travel J/F, so I'm not rationalizing my choices here ...
Note: I rarely travel J/F, so I'm not rationalizing my choices here ...