WE note with disappointment that with effect from March 1, all Cathay Pacific European flights are no smoking. We are told this airline believes its passengers - 76 per cent of whom do not smoke - endorse this policy.
Was the figure of 76 per cent achieved by analysis of requests for smoking or non-smoking seats? Did it include those who book non-smoking seats with the intention of asking a passenger in the smoking section to exchange seats mid-flight in order that they may enjoy a cigarette? The majority of non-smokers are also non-objectors to smoking. Surely, the entire foundation of Cathay Pacific's policy is questionable if it is based on non-smokers who do not object to sharing an aeroplane, appropriately divided, with those who do smoke. As a group of frequent travellers (including smokers and non-smokers) we write, because we feel that Cathay Pacific should be aware that after using its airline for many years we - and we believe many others - will no longer be doing so.
EDDY CHAN LOUISE SMITH JULIA BARRY G. ONIONS JEAN WOOD JOHN MAYOW G. TAYLOR-THOMAS MARGARET BLOOM CAROLYN BASSETT
