An Airline Exclusively for Smokers

Traveling by plane could go from being a torment to a pleasure for passionate smokers if the initiative of Alexander Schoppmann, a German entrepreneur, succeeds. He plans to launch, starting next year, Smintair (Smoker's International Airways), the first airline exclusively for smokers. The new company, which expects to begin operations on March 26, 2007, will cover the Düsseldorf-Tokyo route aboard two Boeing 747s that have already been contracted. On these flights, tobacco will not be the only peculiar feature, as the plane will only include 138 seats, a significantly lower number than the 400 seats that these aircraft typically accommodate. Additionally, all seats will be first class and arranged only on the lower deck, as the upper deck will be converted into a lounge with no rows of seats. Schoppmann aims to "restore certain lost charms to air travel." However, to do this, he will need to pay the 40 million euros required by the German aviation authority to obtain the flight license.

Information: www.smintair.com