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German airline to offer smoking, not non
How did this one get by me? An all-smoking airline!
Alexander Schoppmann is on the prowl for startup capital for an all-smoking airline. Once he gets the cash, he's going to lease two Boeing 747s and run a route from Dusseldorf to Tokyo. This doesn't do much for the few Americans who still prefer to light up, but if the Schoppmann can squeeze a profit out of this (which conventional airlines aren't even doing), maybe he'll export the idea.
If all goes according to plan, Smintair (for "Smoker's International Airways) will go wheels up for the first time next year. Each plane will accommodate 138 passengers, with no economy seating. You'll have to pay to play on Smintair, but if you have a serious tobacco jones, it could be worth the trouble – especially if you're stuck on a plane from Germany to Japan.
Schoppmann is looking to use the upper deck as a passengers' lounge, rather than cramming it with more seats. Smintair will be an upscale affair, so the poor and the nic-free should book their travel arrangements elsewhere. Flight attendants and pilots who aren't interested in a smoke-filled workplace, the company says, need not apply.
The price tag is hefty: approximately $56 million. Part of this will pay for an older approach to pushing fresh air through the cabin – instead of the cheaper systems being used now. Even with the barriers, Schoppmann is optimistic. I guess the former stockbroker has some solid connections.
Cigar smokers: if you're worried about discrimination, the hopeful founder remembers fondly the days when Lufthansa would serve a selection of Montecristos in flight.
[Via Blackbook]
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Janet Jul 18th 2009 5:32PM
As a former smoker I don't understand why the smokers on this site are so belligerent. Even when I smoked I respected the fact that non smokers shouldn't have to breathe the second hand smoke. If you can't smoke in inclosed public places you ought to have the decency to understand why. Good grief...it doesn't take a rocket scientist. It's just manners.
Carl Jul 20th 2009 7:16PM
For those of you who quit congratulations, for those who have not I am praying for you. You are grown and entitled to do whatever but please, do not bring a lawsuit against the tobacco companies when you start to cough up one of your vital organs. I understand that you have the right to fight for your addiction and cling to self murder! So people please do not give these suicidal people a hard time.
colin Jul 18th 2009 6:49PM
ha, this airline is definitely not going to work. If Like in America, most of the people who smoke are the lower class citizens which means they don't have a lot of money. The airline wants it to be up-scale and expensive, but those who smoke couldn't afford that when they are wasting their money on packs of cigarettes everyday!
Annette Jul 18th 2009 6:39PM
Wow...............LOVE your comment Autumn. Could not have said it better myself!!!!!!
Annette Jul 18th 2009 6:49PM
In response to COLIN.........I SMOKE and I am NOT a lower class citizen. Where do you get your ill-informed information? There are many WELL-TO-DO, UPPER-CLASS citizens that could buy your ignorant, small minded self that do SMOKE. I fly often and I can afford to do so. Can you say the same? It is best that the IGNORANT keep their comments to themselves.
Ethan Jul 18th 2009 7:08PM
The name "Smintair" just doesn't "cut it" in the airline logo. How about Air Cancer? Have the corporate symbol the Zodiac with Cancer, and then superimpose a cigarette! Have the Dusseldorf and Narita gates specially made, like El Al; but not for security, but pump in some nice nicotine and tar-filled smoke, so you can have a great feeling even before you board the plane. I can just see the advertising slogan:
Air Cancer - the airline for those who are dying to fly!
By the way - throw in some free "smoke-steaming" of clothes before landing, to give that "freshly arrived" look.
Ferd Jul 18th 2009 7:12PM
I can't believe some of the crazy analogies and paranoid rationalizations some smokers have posted on this board. "We're all going to die anyway!" "What about people eating fast food -- that's unhealthy too!!!" Please! Look, if people want to ride on an all-smoking plane, have at it. Good for you. But stop with the notion that smoking on a plane is somehow equivalent to eating a fatty hamburger. You're not going to become obese if a fat guy in front of you is eating a hamburger. But you could get cancer from someone smoking in front of you. Smoking in public is like a heroin junkie who goes around jabbing other people with their needles. (And, apart from the health issues, many smokers constantly throw their butts out of their car windows, as if the whole world is their ashtray.) But, as I said, enjoy your flight. I just pray they don't allow children on it. There are enough idiotic parents who expose their kids to smoke as it is.
Tom Whitworth Jul 18th 2009 7:14PM
I wish all self rightous non smokers would arrange for free cigarettes for us older smoking senior's. Think of the benefits far beyond the sin taxing fascists. You could kill us off with our own vices and save funding for Medicare and Social Security. I'll sign on the dotted line and agree to seek no Medicade for smoking related ilness. Take the trend further with seniors consent when they sign on the dotted line arrange lovely young ladies for seniors with lots of Viagra for Vegas weekends causing heart attack rates to soar. Obama can even appoint another Tsar to oversee such programs. Tsar of Sin would save multi-billions for the US Treasury.
M Jul 18th 2009 7:25PM
Just look at the facts. Every stand alone "business class only" airline has failed. Putting just 138 seats on a 747 with a lounge on the upper deck will require fares way out of reach of the average leisure traveller. As demand will be restricted to just wealthy smokers and the business class market this airline will never get close to the load factors and yields necessary to break even.
On the bright side - buy stocks if this project gets funded. Funding something this ridiculous would be a sure sign of a return to excess liquidity and banking fees/greed winning over common sense again.
William Rose Jul 18th 2009 7:37PM
Funny...People sure don't mind taking the taxes raised from Smokers'. I beleive that as long as people are aware of non-smokers and do not offend non-smokers there is no problem. I pay a lot of tax dollars to smoke. I do not critisize others for being fat or stupid. We have a right to smoke, we have an obligation to adhere to the smokers rules such as the work place, public buildings and so on. If I choose to smoke that is my choice. I am currently stationed in Iraq helping to offer these people the freedom and the choice of rights that we enjoy. Part of the early wealth of the United States came from the growing and selling of Tobacco and it is still a major source of our GNP. We recently were required to pay the new higher taxes (Federal) that before we did not. I have not heard anyone really complaining about the tax. The Country was founded on freedom of choice and there are still those who beleive that it is the best country in the world and are willing to do wahtever it takes to keep it that way.
Gordon Baker Jul 18th 2009 7:42PM
Seems fair to have both smoking and non-smoking areas, resturants, or bars, or buildings, or airlines. But take it a step further to be REALLY fair. A smoker MUST NOT smoke while they are in a non smoking area. OK you But if you non smokers happen to be in a smoking allowed area, then you MUST SMOKE while there. I will play your rules in a non smoking area, you play by MY Rules in my area. LEARN TO SMOKE or LEAVE
Dennis Jul 18th 2009 7:41PM
I used to smoke but I have seen the lite. Now I jog down the street in my spandex shorts with my 1 pound foo foo dog on a 30 foot leash. We stop every once in a while so he can take a dump on my neighbors lawn. The stuff that doesn't kill his grass gets tracked in their house by their grandkids. Life if much better now that I am going to live forever.
FredM Jul 18th 2009 7:44PM
Dusseldorf to Tokyo? On TWO 747s? Wow! That's a whole lot of smokers on a dubious route. I flew Dusseldorf-JFK, with non-smokers, and it was only 70% filled. Better charge plenty for the privelege, like $500 a pack, sold only on board.
Gilbert Thompson Jul 18th 2009 7:55PM
Ever since the Federal Aviation Administration banned smoking on airliners incidents of inflight cabin fires, which are deadly, have all but disappeared. This is a safety issue, not a convenience issue for smokers. Trust me, you don't want to be onboard an airliner that experiences a cabin fire, and the probability of such goes up when smoking is allowed. Forget about the damage to your health, think increased risk to your life. I'm an aeronautical engineer who worked for the FAA for 32 year. Paying more money for increased flight safety risk doesn't make much sense to me.
Jason Jul 18th 2009 7:48PM
TARA,
Before you go persecuting others for any mistakes he or she may have made in his or her post, maybe you should check yourself!!! Let's see.....improper use of the word TOO. This one means also, it does not constitute a place you can go.
Second, you really should try not to repeat the same words before the end of a sentence(i should be I dont should be don't). WTF!!!??? What does that mean??? What else? Oh yes, "your" constitutes ownership. The correct usage would be you're the future of America. Also, what the hell is a dumb speller? How about a bad speller?
When someone such as yourself is completely ignorant and could not possibly compete on an intellectual level with anyone on this article, you need to log of and go straight to YOUR local library and inquire about grammar classes. Stop insulting people. You're arsenal of wits is way TOO diminished to have a battle with anyone!!!!