AM host Ryan Bridge has issued stern words to a UK influencer who triggered heated debate about whether or not children should be allowed in the business class cabins of commercial airline flights.
Charlotte 'Lottie' Lion is a 23-year-old reality TV and OnlyFans star who made headlines this week for her outspoken comments. She previously starred on the UK version of The Apprentice, where she stoked controversy for using racist and violent language towards a rival contestant of Pakistani heritage.
"Not to sound pretentious or anything (but we all know I am), why the f**k are children allowed in business class? There's a bratty 6-year-old next to me with the parents in the row in front," Lion wrote in a post to her Instagram Story, along with a photo she'd taken of her own face.
She added in a follow-up post: "Put them in the luggage hold or something I guess."
Discussing Lion's hotly debated take on Tuesday morning, Bridge said the influencer was "obviously stirring the pot", adding: "She's in hot water, but she doesn't care. She doesn't care about much."
"I would like to say to Lottie: 'Shut up'," said Bridge.
"She was on a flight from London to Paris, which is an hour and 20 minutes. First of all, why are you in business class for an hour and 20 minutes anyway? You barely sit down before you stand up again, one trip to the loo and it's over. Then to complain to that extent about a child you put up with for what, 45 minutes?"
AM co-host Laura Tupou suggested airlines could put on flights that have no children, noting some resorts are adults-only while others are family-friendly.
"Or you just have a part of the plane in business class that is reserved for children or younger people, then they can put them in there first," added fellow co-host Nicky Styris.
Bridge also suggested putting a soundproof booth on a plane that noisy children could be taken into by their parents.
Tupou added she has noticed that airlines will often seat travellers with kids near each other.
"They chuck us all at the back of the plane, which is actually great because the kids all look at each other, pull faces and they're entertained to free us up," she said.
The hosts also pointed out most people use headphones on flights, so the noise from children shouldn't be too much of a bother.
"The parents get more worried about their children making noise than the people around them do, because you're always conscious of that. Also, once you're underway on a long-haul flight, it's quite noisy on a plane and actually you don't hear the children," said Styris
"Depends how close you're sitting," said Bridge.
Watch the video above.
