Lily Allen has stirred debate by revealing that she plans to fly first class to London while her 13-year-old daughter, Ethel, travels in economy. The singer discussed her travel arrangements on her podcast Miss Me? with co-host Miquita Oliver, explaining that the seating choice was for Oliver's 40th birthday celebrations.
When Oliver joked, 'Wow, Merry Christmas Ethel,' Allen responded by suggesting the move could be seen as 'selfish.' Oliver then noted the 'circle of life,' referencing that Ethel is now travelling because Allen lives in New York.
Allen used the conversation to comment on a viral social media trend where adults refuse to give up their seats for children on planes. She expressed disbelief that refusing to swap seats has become a source of 'clout,' saying, 'Is this what we’ve become? Well done, you made a family have to sit apart from each other.'
She explained that airlines often separate group bookings, forcing parents to ask strangers to move. The trend has been fuelled by videos like one from TikTok user Dr Sabra, who declined to swap her first-class seat with a 13-year-old, and a father who films himself walking past his children in economy to sit in first class.
Allen also previously claimed that having children 'ruined' her pop career, though she stated that they 'complete' her. She has two daughters, Ethel and Marnie, with ex-husband Sam Cooper.
