Fierce debate as wealthy parents fly first class, leave kids in economy

These wealthy parents refuse to let their kids travel in first class with them. This is the reason why.

If you could afford to fly your kids first class, would you?

It’s a no from London-based property investor Samuel Leeds.

In a resurfaced TikTok, Mr Leeds showed himself saying goodbye to his kids in economy, walking past business class “because [he] earned it” and into first class with his wife – sparking a debate about whether kids should fly up front.

The father-of-three said rich people shouldn’t spoil their kids despite being able to afford it.

He added his children were supervised by their nanny in economy.

Samuel Leeds says goodbye to his children in economy. Picture: TikTok / @samuel_leeds

Mr Leeds and his wife Amanda sat in first class. Picture: TikTok / @samuel_leeds

While some social media users shrugged it off as “rich people problems”, others passionately shared their shock or support.

“Agreed!! His kids aren’t wealthy, he and his wife are. Those kids don’t have jobs or an income,” said one fan.

“Respect. They will be in first class one day and feel that they earned it,” agreed another.

“This is actually a really good idea and needs to be normalised more,” stated a third.

The London-based parents are determined not to spoiled their kids despite their wealth. Picture: Instagram / @samuelleeds

But some parents thought the real problem was that the couple were not seated with their children for the flight.

“This is so strange to me. Maybe I’m just weird. No matter how rich I was I wouldn’t want to be away from my kids on a flight,” said one mum.

“This is essentially teaching those children that money is more important than family as they didn’t want to sit with their kids there too,” penned another parent.

“Well they are very young, hope when they grow up there isn't any resentment at the end of the day...thats my twopence!!” added a third.

@samuel_leeds

Don’t worry, they were sat with their nanny ❤️ dint spoil your children #samuelleeds#richpeopleproblems#spoiledchild

♬ original sound - Samuel Leeds

In a separate video, Mr Leeds explained his reasoning.

“When they’re 16, 17, 18 and making their own money, they’re doing their own thing – what happens when their friends say ‘should we go skiing to Canada?’ and they can’t afford to go first [class] but they’re used to going first?” he said. “They’ve been ruined. They’ve been spoiled. I’ll be damned if I spoil my kids. They have got to understand the value of money.”

Mr Leeds is a father of three. Picture: Instagram / @samuelleeds

The couple don’t plan to buy their children a house either. Picture: Instagram / @samuelleeds

The real estate guru even said he wouldn’t give them money to buy a first house.

“What I’ll do with my kids is instead of giving them the money, I’ll give them opportunity,” Mr Leeds said.

“The best gift you can give somebody is personal development and education and training and opportunity.”

Mr Leeds said that opportunity would be to work within his business, Property Investors, and eventually take over.

Although, that plan comes with a few important conditions.

“They have to start at the bottom. If they leave school at 16 like I did with no qualifications, they want to come jump on the business? That’s fine, they can start on cold calling, telesales,” he said.

“But if you work hard and you do well maybe you’ll get to be the manager of the telesales and you have opportunity to work up.”