I’ve travelled the world – why I always fly economy even though I can afford business class flights
A TRAVEL writer, who owns a multi-million company, has revealed why he prefers to fly economy instead of a business class.
Even though Rick Steves could easily afford to splash on a comfier cabin for his flights, he believes business class should be scrapped altogether.
The 68-year-old built a travel empire with his company, which employs more than 100 people and makes $120million in revenue a year.
He’s been a pioneer in discovering unpaved travel routes in Europe for Americans and has popularised many hidden gem destinations.
But despite being a millionaire, you might surpisingly find the travel mogul sitting next to you in an economy class.
Even though Steve spends about three months a year overseas and often takes long-haul flights, he doesn’t mind the cramped seats.
He told Washington Post: ““It never occurred to me that I’m suffering.
“As long as I’ve got an aisle and a seat that reclines, I’m happy.”
That’s because Steve holds egalitarian worldview – an idea that all people are equal and should have the same rights and opportunities.
The travel expert even suggests to abolish economy and first-class altogether – and leave just one cabin for everyone.
He also refuses to sign up for airlines loyalty programs which he believes are made to “complicate our lives”.
As a true egalitarian, Steve often donates a portion of his fortune to charities and causes close to his heart, as he gave away his $4million apartment to a local non-profit.
Steve often opts for the back of the plane – the most hated seat amongst travellers.
Flight attendants warn passengers not to sit there if they don’t like experiencing turbulence, with planes shaking much more at the back than they do at the front.
What’s more, passengers who sit at the back have longer to wait to get off once the plane has landed than those who sit nearer the front, due to the way people disembark.
But despite that, another frequent flyer shares in Steve’s preference, insisting that booking the very back row has many positives.
The back seat of the plane has other admirers too, with one of them being flight attendant Annie Kingston who said people who sit there could get extra freebies that other people don’t.