Savannah James flies first class while her best friend books business on shared trips, and it has split opinion. If you're far richer than a friend, should you pay to upgrade them?

What happened

Savannah James and her friend and podcast co-host April McDaniel appeared on Boardroom's Mental Wealth podcast on 28 September. McDaniel said that when they travel together James flies first class and she books business class: "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 added that they plan trips well ahead. The clip drew criticism on social media from people who said someone so wealthy should upgrade her friend. Shannon Sharpe defended James on his Nightcap podcast, saying: "My friends ain't obligated to none of my money."

Why people disagree

Critics argue that when money is no obstacle, friendship should count for more than the price of a seat, and that sitting apart underlines the gap between the two. Defenders say nobody is owed a friend's money, and that expecting to be paid for turns friendship into dependence. McDaniel said the friendship works because both are realistic about their different budgets and she is not pressed to overspend. James said her friends are "very respectful of my situation".

What's still unclear

This is a viral clip, not a survey, so there is no data on what most people think; the backlash is known only from individual comments. Some reports describe McDaniel's seat as coach rather than business class.