Praise for Kirstie Allsopp, the Business Class TV star who puts kids in Economy

Kirstie Allsopp: "It seems like an absurd waste of money and very spoiling." Photo / Getty Images

Travel Editor Winston Aldworth defends the UK television presenter who puts her kids in Economy Class while she's in Business

She's the hero we need, not the one we deserve.

UK television presenter Kirstie Allsopp has been criticised for putting her children in Economy Class while she flies in Business. But folks, she's laying out a template for how we all should be travelling.

In the western world, we're quick to judge many people - with our fellow travellers and parents being common targets. Allsopp makes a plumb target as she's both of those things at once – and with the temerity to sit at the front of the plane.

"[Business] Class should be a huge treat you've worked hard for," Ms Allsopp said. "If kids get used to it, what do they have to work towards? It seems like an absurd waste of money to have children in premium seats, and very spoiling."

Critics on Twitter were predictably vocal: "Until they are adult," one wrote. "It's the parents job to PARENT not the Cabin Crew! Those children need looking after on a flight. I'd never have left mine."

We should learn from Allsopp, whose kids are 10 and 12 and presumably able to entertain look after themselves on a flight. Your holiday is your time: a bubble — an often expensive bubble — in which you get to relax in your own fashion. If you can afford to put the kids somewhere else, do it.

First Class aboard an Emirates A380 - no juice cartons and colouring-in books necessary. Photo / Supplied

I love my kids, and love travelling with them – but having seen them fly internationally in Business Class and in Economy I'm telling you the difference is lost on them. You want to know what First Class looks like to a kid? It's a screen, a colouring-in book and a juice carton.

Kids can fly alone in New Zealand as "Unaccompanied Minors" from the age of five, so having mum or dad a few metres forward in Business should be no big deal. Furthermore, airlines often split families up when booking — and make good money when those families pay for seat selection to be seated next to one another.

Of course there's a caveat: Are your children reprehensible monsters? If so, sit with them and suck it up. I'd suggest that once kids reach the age of five, there are very few who aren't fine on a flight.

Kids can fly unaccompanied in New Zealand skies from the age of five. Photo / Getty Images

I once saw a family flying out of Dubai go one better than Allsopp, placing their kids with nannies in Business Class while mum and dad scarpered to First.

Parents, don't hate on Allsopp – be inspired by her.