Airport Check-in: Memphis vs. smoke ban; trans-Atlantic style

ByABC News
June 23, 2008, 4:37 AM

— -- MEMPHIS

Airport seeks smoking exemption

Tennessee's new anti-smoking law prohibits lighting up in enclosed public places. Memphis International Airport officials believe an exemption should be made for its restaurant patrons.

Two restaurants at the airport the Blue Note Cafe and Maggie O'Shea's have been issued notices of potential violations, and state officials are reviewing whether to pursue enforcement action, according to a report by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, which first reported on the flap.

Smoking is still allowed in over-21 bars, hotels and motels. But airport facilities aren't granted the same exemption because "They are enclosed facilities within an enclosed facility," Carter Garner of the Tennessee Department of Health told the newspaper.

The airport contends that the law would force connecting passengers to go outside to smoke and undergo the hassle of re-entering security checkpoints. Sara Hall, the airport's general counsel, says the bars have "sophisticated ventilation systems" that provide safer air-quality levels than the law requires. She also contends that the secured areas aren't truly "public," because only ticketed passengers are allowed.

NEW YORK

OpenSkies takes off between JFK and Paris

OpenSkies, a new premium-class trans-Atlantic airline from British Airways, launched its first flight last week from Paris Orly to New York John F. Kennedy. The carrier, which operates a Boeing 757 with 82 seats, offers one daily round-trip flight between the cities. It's the first airline to start flying after the new "open skies" agreement that liberalized air travel between the USA and Europe.

British Airways spokesman John Lampl says OpenSkies hopes to avoid the fates of other premium trans-Atlantic airlines that recently failed by marketing to business and leisure travelers.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH

Revamped website upgrades features

Dallas/Fort Worth International has new features on its revamped website, dfwairport.com. Travelers can now use the new interactive flight tracker to receive flight information and gate location via e-mail. A handy terminal map and search function let travelers find the locations of airport shops, restaurants and lounges, plus where each airline's gates are. The site also features an interactive map that details all onsite parking facilities and prices, plus provides access to the airport's audio status reports.