Politics aside, I struggle to see the issue here…
Bernie Sanders criticized for flying Delta first class
In the past 24 hours, a picture is being widely circulated online showing Bernie Sanders flying Delta first class, seemingly on an Airbus A220 from Washington National (DCA) to Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP), where he’s attending the “No Kings” rally this weekend.
Some are blasting the Democratic Socialist for flying first class, calling him a hypocrite, and claiming he’s “living large” and “jetting out of DC like royalty.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a more left-leaning Democrat criticized for this kind of stuff. For example, in the past, we’ve seen the same criticism of Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez flying first class.
I fail to see what’s wrong with a socialist flying first class?
I always find it puzzling when the topic of flying domestic first class is somehow portrayed as something that’s for the super rich, or when there are claims that it’s incompatible with someone who wants billionaires to pay more in taxes.
Domestic first class means you get “treated like royalty?” I must have missed the memo! I just find this to be such strange labeling, because let’s be honest, domestic first class is hardly luxurious:
- As a member of the Senate, Sanders travels a lot and presumably has elite status, so he likely ends up in first class quite a bit through complimentary upgrades
- Sanders is a very high profile person attending a big event, so it’s possible his travel was paid for by a third party, in which case them paying for first class for him isn’t unreasonable
- Sanders presumably earns lots of miles, so is he not allowed to use his miles to upgrade tickets, like everyone else?
- Even if Sanders was paying for the ticket out of pocket, this isn’t like dropping $20K+ on an Air France La Premiere ticket
Assuming you’re even paying for first class, the premium is often quite reasonable nowadays. I don’t follow Sanders more closely than most other politicians, but my understanding is that he fights for higher taxes for billionaires, and things along those lines, rather than demanding that everything always be equal for everyone, and that no one can have a nicer experience.
Should Sanders only fly basic economy? Is it reasonable if he’s in extra legroom economy, or is that not “equal” enough? What about paying for a seat assignment toward the front of the plane?
For that matter, the reality is that I think first class can be justified purely in terms of the ability to be productive. Most people can’t reasonably work in a tight economy seat. You can’t even open your laptop screen in many cases if the person in front of you reclines. Paying a reasonable premium to sit in a seat where you can have the space to work is in many cases just being smart.
I understand the frustration many have when high profile people show up at climate change conferences in private jets, but this simply isn’t that. If there’s something I missed, though, please do let me know. Glamorizing domestic first class to this extent, while claiming that flying that way is being “treated like royalty,” either comes out of a lack of knowledge, or willful ignorance, in my opinion.
Bottom line
Bernie Sanders is being criticized by some for flying Delta first class, though this strikes me as a completely baseless attack. I don’t think being a Democratic Socialist and flying first class domestically are incompatible. There are decent odds that Sanders was just upgraded on account of his elite status.
But even if his ticket was paid for by another party, or if he redeemed miles or paid cash, I don’t think that contradicts any stance he has espoused.
Is there something I’m missing?
