Last week, Nick Lachey recalled an unexpected run-in with his ex-wife Jessica Simpson, while on a flight to Hawaii, and the ordeal sparked a parenting debate that's now going viral.
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Nick appeared on Watch What Happens Live and told host Andy Cohen that they were unexpectedly on the same flight, crossing paths after being divorced for 20 years.
Nick explained that his family was on the flight, and that Jessica and her mother were seated together. Meanwhile Jessica's second husband, Eric Johnson, was also on the flight seated with their three children. Jessica and Eric separated in 2025, after 10 years of marriage.
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When Andy asked where Jessica's kids were seated on the flight, Nick replied that they were in "a separate class of service.”
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Nick's reveal has sparked a debate among parents on whether or not it's inappropriate to not fly in the same class as your children. And Jessica's parenting is being largely applauded:
"Ever kid I know would prefer 6 hours economy with their siblings without parents. Also, other first class passengers likely prefer this as well. Everyone wins"
Although some said they would never sit in first class while their children sat in another section, Twitter users kept clarifying that Jessica's kids were indeed seated with their father, so they weren't unsupervised and the seating arrangements caused zero safety issues:
"The kids were not alone, they were sitting with her estranged husband Eric Johnson."
"Their father was in coach with them. I don’t see anything wrong with it. I personally wouldn’t if I didn’t treat my kids too but she’s a celebrity. Could have been the other reason she did."