Posted on 09/05/2006 5:59:03 AM PDT by A. Pole
PARIS If Alexander Schoppmann is right, then where there's smoke, there's a flier.
As more countries ban smoking in public places, his idea might seem malapropos. But Schoppmann, a German entrepreneur, is hoping to turn smokers' umbrage at ever-expanding efforts to stub out their habit into a highflying business proposal: Smoker's International Airways.
As the name suggests, the airline, known as Smintair for short, will probably not be for the faint of lung. The carrier, expected to begin luxury service with only business and first-class seats early next year, plans daily flights between Schoppmann's hometown of Düsseldorf and Tokyo - a 12-hour journey that, for some inveterate smokers, is simply not worth the nicotine-withdrawal headache.
"Many people simply don't travel long distances anymore because they can't smoke," said Schoppmann, 55, who admits to a 30-a-day cigarette habit as well as the occasional cigar. "That has to be why they invented videoconferencing."
It is also about comfort, he insists. "Air travel used to be a luxury experience," Schoppmann said. "Today the prices are exploding, and the service is going down to zilch. We want to bring back the joy of flying."
[...]
"We expect all of our flights to be overbooked," Schoppmann said.
[...]
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
ping
I usually book "smoking" rooms in hotels because there are so few of those rooms. They are OFTEN (not always) the nicer room, away from the kiddies, with other perks (jacuzzi) and usually quieter.
I don't know about a smokers' flight though. Hack! Hack! Gasp, cough. That would be a tough one.
sounds like a good idea.
"30-a-day cigarette habit"
No way... I'm sure he'd be dead. The government says so!
Go for it, Mr. S.
If you can bring some of the old civility and luxury back into flying, I wish you great success.
In the meantime, I continue to enjoy the Flightfree Lifestyle and am spared airports, demeaning security measures (which I heartily support), and the cattle car atmosphere of airplanes generally.
I agree..a plane full of cig smoke might be tough to take for 12 hours, although I do smoke..I think I'd prefer to take a non-smokin plane..unless the planes they're going to use can recycle the air every 30 seconds or less (ain't gonna happen), I'll pass...
Capitalism at work. This guy has identified a potential market demand, and he's meeting that demand and, hopefully, will make a profit by doing so. Good for him.
Well, that's what the oxygen mask is for, silly.
LOL.
Sorry to change the subject, but that happens to be exactly what I want Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to do when we finally get tired of his nonsense and nuke Tehran.
Capitalism filling a niche ping.
More power to them!!!!!!!!!!!
The air in planes changes so fast smoke really isnt a probelm anyway, If they really want to bring comfort to airplane flights , GIVE A GROWN MAN ROOM ENOUGH TO SIT > move the friggin seats back 8 inches and make them 6 inches wider. After a 2 hoiur flight I cant walk from being cramped up in the damned seat. When my wife wanted to go to Hawai I said fine you go. No way will I sit in those damned seats for 12 hours. She went with another lady. I avoid plane flight because I cant afford first class and refuse to be contorted.
thats a bone headed reaction to giving people a choice....then when the whole place is non smoking you have YOU to blame.
Many if not most smokers seem to do that.
Actually, I was thinking that as an extra perk the cabin could be pumped full of nicotine laced air so that everyone could get their nicotine fix without lighting up. By doing this, the passengers would have their hands free to hold drinks and eat snacks and still have their nicotine all at the same time. Pretty clever, huh? heh, heh...
Tell me about it! I'm 6'4"...I cannot stand having to deal with the cramped seats....especially when the person in front of me leans their seat back...it becomes almost impossible for me to sit. I'm just glad my work usually send me at least business, and occassionally first class. I don't shell out for it for personal, though, so I have to suffer.
Also, I definately would fly a smoking airline! Most of my flights are overseas...and me without my nic-fix is not a pretty sight.
Ah! I could double-fist bloody marys for the whole flight!!!
Good.
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