Savannah James Criticized For Not Upgrading Her Best Friend To First Class

Flying together apparently doesn't mean sitting together, at least not when two best friends have very different travel budgets. A clip from a recent podcast appearance has sparked criticism of Savannah James after her longtime friend April McDaniel explained that they sometimes book separate cabin classes on the same flight. Savannah may sit in first class, while McDaniel chooses business because she says that is what fits her budget.

McDaniel did not frame the arrangement as a complaint. She explained that they have been friends for years and understand their finances are nowhere near the same. “If we’re going on the same trip, I don’t feel the need to be in first because that’s not in my budget,” she said. She also recalled once walking up to Savannah’s seat during a flight and squeezing in with her to watch a movie. The story was told casually. Social media heard it very differently.

The backlash centered on a pretty straightforward question. If someone can afford first class and is traveling with a best friend, why not buy her the same seat? Critics argued that friendship should outweigh the price difference, especially when money is hardly the obstacle for Savannah and LeBron James. Others said they would rather sit in a lower cabin themselves than leave a close friend somewhere else on the plane.

McDaniel, however, has made it clear that she does not expect Savannah’s wealth to become an extension of her own wallet. She said their friendship works because they are realistic about what each woman can afford, and Savannah does not pressure her into spending outside her budget. That explanation has not done much to quiet people who believe generosity should look different when one friend has substantially more money than the other.

The clip has nevertheless become one of those internet debates where everyone suddenly has rules for somebody else’s friendship. Savannah and McDaniel appear comfortable with theirs...although my BFF would be right by my side, flying first class or coach.