Gordon Ramsay may be one of the world’s most successful chefs, but when it comes to parenting, the culinary icon believes in keeping his children grounded — literally. The Hell’s Kitchen star has once again made headlines for his strict family travel policy: while he relaxes in first class, his children sit in economy. And according to Ramsay, there’s a very good reason for it.
In interviews, the Michelin-starred chef has been candid about his parenting philosophy, emphasizing discipline, hard work, and humility — values that he says are crucial for raising grounded kids despite the family’s immense wealth. “They haven’t worked anywhere near hard enough to afford first class,” Ramsay famously said. “At that age, they should be grateful for being able to fly.”
Ramsay, who shares five children with his wife Tana — Megan, twins Holly and Jack, Matilda (“Tilly”), and youngest son Oscar — insists that separating travel classes isn’t about punishment, but about teaching perspective. “I’m not being mean. It’s about setting an example,” he explained. “They’ve got to earn their way up — just like I did.”
The chef, who built his culinary empire from scratch after a humble upbringing in Scotland, has always been outspoken about not spoiling his children. He’s previously revealed that his kids won’t inherit his fortune directly, saying he doesn’t want them to take success for granted. “It’s not going to them, and that’s not in a mean way — it’s to not spoil them,” Ramsay told The Telegraph.
This tough-love approach extends beyond air travel. Ramsay’s children reportedly have chores, budgets, and part-time jobs. Tilly Ramsay, the most publicly known of the five, has followed in her father’s culinary footsteps — but still under the same family rules about earning one’s way.
Despite his strict policies, Ramsay is a devoted father who often shares glimpses of family life on social media. The contrast between his fiery on-screen persona and his affectionate, humorous family moments shows a softer side of the famously intense chef.
Many fans have praised Ramsay’s approach, calling it “refreshingly real” in a world where celebrity children often grow up surrounded by privilege. Others have debated the fairness of the policy — but Ramsay remains unfazed. “The day they pay their own way, they can sit with me in first class,” he quipped.
In a society where luxury can easily blur the lines of entitlement, Ramsay’s decision stands out as a firm reminder that success is something to be earned, not handed down. For the man who turned grit, talent, and perseverance into a global empire, it’s no surprise he expects nothing less from his children — even 35,000 feet in the air.
