You bet! 
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 ...
You bet!
I wish the man all the luck in the world, but I would have to question the legality of this choice. Doesn't the non snoking law apply to all airlines in the US? What about Germany?
Just flights that start or end in the US.
McClain Airways from the mid-80's comes to mind...
Great Idea, but it never "took Off", so to say...
I'm with you on that. An airline could make the seating room about 50% larger (about the way you describe) and charge 50% more per ticket. I would gladly pay that. And the airline would come out ahead with fuel and incidental savings. Oh well, I don't own an airline so it wil probably never happen.
"Freedom Airlines" tried this years ago stateside (all flights "chartered" to get around amoking regs.) It went nowhere. I'm a non-smoker, but I would consider flying one of those standby if I can get a good rate.
Right on the money, Ichabod1!
I try for the bulkhead or the Exit door.
Thanks for the ping. I appreciate hearing about flights that allow smoking.
When I was younger, smoking was allowed on planes. The ventilation on the planes was BETTER than it is now. The way they have cut down on ventilation, I guess in a bid to save money or something, I get a headache from the stale air even though there is no smoke.
I think I remember reading something about cabin air exchange rates getting lowered, now that people aren't smoking, and to me it seems unhealthy to recirculate all that stale air--probably loaded with germs, too.
I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to go back to the more frequent air exchange rates, even with smoking.
See now, I am a gentleman. When I am seated next to a long legged lady, I let her turn sideways and throw her legs over my lap for her comfort. It's the least I can do.
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