Smokers' Airline?

Question

http://uk.yahoo.com/r/ty/8/pt
What do you think of this new initiative? The only problem is it is far too expensive for the average smoker. Please give me your opinions on this but please no lectures on how bad it is etc. this is not about a health issue, I'm interested in it from a business point of view.

Answer 1

I was waiting for this question! When I read about Alexander Schoppmann's venture, it made me laugh! Good for him! Smokers fight back! And you can be sure that they will all feel so happy and relaxed on his planes that they will not chain smoke!
I think it is a great business prospect. There was a void, and Smintair will fill it. Especially on those proposed routes. Schoppmann will make a fortune.
It is sad that the plane accepts only first class or business class passengers. That makes the cost too high for the average smoker. But I can understand why; the plane will not be too smoky with just an elite group flying in it and puffing away in between nibbles of caviar and sips of best champagne.
I am a smoker, but I would want to fly Smintair for the service and spaciousness he proposes, more than for a quick smoke.
I think it is a brilliant idea! Smokers are not that stupid; the plane won't resemble those horrid smoking area in airports; he'll have high-tech filters installed and there is enough space.
And best of all, just when smokers were being made into scapegoats and victimised, some clever man has come up with a way to fight back for Human Rights!
Good Luck to him!

Answer 2

Well it's estimated that 1/3 of German's are smokers
How many of them can afford to fly business or 1st class
which is all this company would offer. This is risky as
the airline is ruling out many potential customers with it's
high prices.
I am a smoker and although it is annoying being on a long haul
flight and not being able to smoke I don't think I'd want to be
sitting in a smoke filled cabin breathing in everyone else's
smoke for a 14 hour flight.
So basically to travel on this airline you would have to want
to smoke so badly that you would be willing to pay high prices
and breathe in smoke the whole time, not very healthy.
I don't think the demand will be that high, it rules out anyone
travelling as a family with children unless you want them
breathing in second hand smoke all flight.
I can see why they think they've found a niche in the market
but ultimately I think demand will be low.
Maybe they will make profit because they are only selling
premium price tickets and only operating a few planes
but ultimately I think the business will fold.

Answer 3

I am a non smoker but I think that all the restriction put upon smokers is getting to the ridiculous stages, so I think a smoking airline is a good idea in an age where if someone wants to smoke they are getting forced to do it behind closed doors as if it is something to be ashamed of, yet the government has happily accepted the revenue from tobacco sales for generations without once putting its hand in the coffers (no pun intended) to help the smokers. Yes it is a good idea, I wont be using it myself being a non smoker, but I know of plenty of people who fly as part of their work who do not use budget airlines and would pay the extra to be able to smoke whilst flying. I think the market for them should be the business man who may be stressed anyway, before check-in etc, who's companies are paying the fares and as such would not worry about the extra costs, which by the way would be to pay for the extra air recycling that would be required to keep the air free from odours and breathable, this was the main reason smoking was banned on aircraft, not because of safety or health reasons but to save the extra fuel it cost to recycle the air within a pressurised cabin and that is why this service will cost more, not just because they want the smokers to pay more for the privilege of being able to smoke but because it will cost the company more to run its aircraft.

Answer 4

I was told by someone that should know, being a BA senior captain, that smoking was stopped not on health or safety grounds, but simply because the cost reduction for the airlines was major.
The air filters are required by law to perform x number of air chages per hour. Smokers clogged th filters and the airlines were paying a fortune to replace / clean them. By banning smoking the filters stay clean and they save money.

Did the fares go down? Nope.

I think this is a great idea, and good luck to him.

Answer 5

It's too dangerous. The main reason smoking was banned from airlines is the danger to life, not health. If a fuel pipe was to leak (which they often do. It is a minor snag, nothing to worry about!) or rupture, then a naked flame, like a cigarette could spark the whole thing off. Engineers aren't allowed to wear studded boots, let alone smoke near aircraft nowadays, they were before they saw the risks.

The Flight safety authorities would never allow it on the grounds of safety.

Answer 6

I like the idea and would consider it for sure, for long flights - if it wasn't TOO expensive.
Perhaps this is the beginning of a trend of "smokers'" everything, restaurants, etc. ??
I think the prices should remain the same as for non-smoking restaurants or whatever.
(I think there are more smokers than non.)

Answer 7

He's just a business man who is trying to make money out of a niche market. It means that smokers and non smokers both have choice but I doubt that there are enough regular long-haul flying rich smokers to make it work long term.

Answer 8

We will have to wait and see if it works out. The idea of paying a little more on less crowded flights of this distance is appealing in its self. The reduction in the amounts of human bacteria and resulting airborne diseases more than likely makes this smoking environment safer, less harmful, and less permanently damaging. It's amazing that this hasn't been attempted in the U.S. already with a base of 80 million smokers to target. Of course, the current FAA rules would have to be changed first.

A woman on a recent flight from NYC to SF brought black garbage bags on board with her and covered the seat she was sitting in with them placing a bag over the back of her seat. This, of course, restricted access to the fold down table for the passenger behind her and they ended up in a big screaming match. Flight attendants had to intervene and cut out a hole in the back of the bag so he could get to his table. He openly called her a nut a few times during the flight. Everytime he did, she flipped him the New York hello sign.

Answer 9

1. How much are people willing to pay for the privilege of smoking?

2. How much would it cost to install the proper air-filtration systems?

3. What are your bureaucratic (laws and regulations) hurdles?

4. Time your entry into the market.

Answer 10

good idea in principle but dont think it will take off (pardon the pun) for short haul as there are so many low cost carriers flying from all around the country i think it would be difficult for them to compete for short haul flights - long haul flights are a different matter and as long as the price was not that much affected it could be a goer