Celebrity journalist and CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after publicly lamenting the lack of a window next to her premium business class seat on a long-haul flight.
The In-Flight Instagram Complaint
On Sunday, King posted a video to her 1.1 million Instagram followers from a United Airlines flight. The journey in question was a more than eight-hour trip from Hawaii to New York. In the clip, the television personality expressed her dismay upon discovering her designated business class seat, despite being in a row typically associated with windows, had no portal to the outside world.
"I always like the window seat, and I know the L series is window seats," King explained in the video. "So I sit down, I go, 'oh great, okay, let's look out the window. Oh, there is no window.'" She humorously checked the adjacent area, patting a wall and noting, "Well maybe I can look out the neighbour's window across the hall... Oh, a wall."
A Premium Ticket Without a View
King's ticket, visible in the footage, confirmed she was travelling in United Airlines' business class, the most premium option available on that route. According to the airline's website, a round-trip business class ticket between Maui's Kahului Airport and Newark International Airport can cost passengers anywhere from $2,500 to just under $5,000.
This stands in stark contrast to the airline's economy fares for the same journey, which start at approximately $420. This price differential means King likely paid between five and ten times more than an average economy passenger. She recounted that a flight attendant was sympathetic, reportedly stating he had "never seen anything like this," and suggested she lodge a complaint.
Social Media Reaction: Sympathy in Short Supply
The court of public opinion, however, was far less understanding. The comment section on her post quickly filled with users criticising what they perceived as a tone-deaf celebrity complaint about a luxury problem.
Many responses were heavily sarcastic. "How will you manage?" one user wrote, while another added, "Boohoo Gayle. Flying business class is so challenging," accompanied by a crying-laughing emoji. Others questioned her perspective, with comments like, "Imagine living a life where this is your biggest problem" and "Gayle you've been to space what more do you need to see mama," referencing her participation in a Blue Origin spaceflight.
A handful of followers offered support, wishing her safe travels or suggesting she use specific booking tools to secure a window seat in future. Nonetheless, the overwhelming sentiment was one of criticism, highlighting a perceived disconnect between the everyday concerns of the public and the minor inconveniences of high-profile individuals travelling in extreme comfort.
