The Iberia flight I’ve took last week was interesting… for many reasons.
I was lightly dozing away aboard flight 6725 between Madrid and Chicago when I heard an odd set of bongs… and two cabin crew rushing to one of the toilets.
That normally isn’t a good sign.
Nor was the articulated discussion that happened when the person in question left the toilet.
Then I could smell why. It seemed that the gentleman decided that the IACO rules didn’t apply to him – and decided to smoke in the air.
The guilty toilet in question – the passenger in question long since returned to his seat with a very stern telling off.
The toilet was locked out of use for the majority of the flight – with it only opened when the crew confirmed it was clear and any smell had dissipated.
I can’t remember when the total smoking ban came in – but it’s been since the early 90s at least – and has been pretty solid under nearly all airlines.
Let’s be honest – the last thing you want at 30,000ft or above is a fire started by any ignition source.
Why?
Fire in the air spreads quickly, there are limited ways of putting it out – or if you’re half way across the Atlantic – minimal places to divert and put down in case there’s an emergency.
Let’s just say for the rest of the flight – I didn’t get much sleep.
Sadly, I didn’t find out if the authorities were waiting for the person in question when we landed (although disembarkation was delayed).
I’ve got many friends who cope and hate flying – but they manage using Nicotine Replacement therapy, gum or other methods (as airlines take a very dim view of vaping), and they handle it as best they can (normally by getting off the plane as fast as possible, clearing immigration and heading outside for a smoke).
But lighting up in the air? None of the would consider it these days.
For the love of safety aboard a plane DO NOT LIGHT UP WHILST ABOARD A PLANE PLEASE.
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