'Thank You FOR Smoking' On Your Next Flight? | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Sun, Oct 15, 2006

'Thank You FOR Smoking' On Your Next Flight?

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...

FMI: http://smintair.com/

Advertisement

More News

Airborne 07.11.25: New FAA Boss, New NASA Boss (Kinda), WB57s Over TX

Also: ANOTHER Illegal Drone, KidVenture Educational Activities, Record Launches, TSA v Shoes The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a ne>[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 07.03.25: Sonex HW, BlackShape Gabriel, PRA Fly-In 25

Also: DarkAero Update, Electric Aircraft Symposium, Updated Instructor Guide, OSH Homebuilts Celebrate The long-awaited Sonex High Wing prototype has flown... the Sonex gang tells >[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Rick Kenin New Board Chair of VAI

30-Year USCG Veteran Aviator Focusing On Member Benefits The Vertical Aviation International Board of Directors announced its new leadership officers in April, and all began their >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC