Sun, Oct 15, 2006
A German Entrepreneur Has Plan For 'New' Idea
How would like to enjoy
a nice fat Cuban cigar with your caviar the next time you fly
commercial? Sound like a joke? Well, if German businessman
Alexander Schoppmann has his way, the next time you fly from
Dusseldorf to Tokyo, that's just what you'll get... seriously.
Schoppmann, a 55-year old former German stockbroker, wants to
create a haven for the persecuted smoker. He has a business
plan for an airline called Smoker's International Airways, or
Smintair. The carrier will offer service between his hometown of
Dusseldorf, Germany and Tokyo, Japan.
Schoppmann told the Associated Press, "I've been an airline
passenger for 50 years. It made me very angry that the gap between
service and price became so big with regular airlines. Especially
in the first class and business class, service is at its lowest
point ever."
To Schoppmann, a pack-and-a-half-day smoker, airline service
should focus on helping people deal with the long idle hours during
transcontinental flights. He believes that should include, not
surprisingly, puffing on a Cohiba if one wishes.
Schoppmann plans to begin service in March with three leased
747s. Two will fly the route while the last provides for
backup.
Schoppmann's "new" idea
is to bring back the "old days" when flying was a luxury. His 747s
will seat only 138 passengers between the business and first class
sections.
Apparently, there is some interest in Schoppmann's idea -- he
says he has $81 million in start up funds from various
investors.
All smokers we hope...
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]