Ashtrays on A380s

[TheRealTMA]

Imponderable ...

Why do Qantas A380 F/J class toilets have ashtrays? Surely the A380 was built long after smoking was banned?

 

[medhead]

It's a safety requirement. People do go and have sneaky smokes. We can acknowledge that reality. As such an ashtray is required because a butt in a paper bin is BAD.

 

[TonyHancock]

Imponderable ...

Why do Qantas A380 F/J class toilets have ashtrays? Surely the A380 was built long after smoking was banned?

The no smoking signs, next to the fasten seatbelt ones, that light up are interesting. I noticed that on the new VA domestic 330's they have gone and been replaced with "Please turn off electronic devices."

"Wot medhead said" as regards ashtrays.

 

[docjames]

+1 - somewhere to extinguish the cigarette that shouldn't have been lit (but was anyway).

 

[Albert Hoffman]

Its kinda like having those syringe containers in public toilets.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Well, no, they have a use.

 

[under the radar]

Its kinda like having those syringe containers in public toilets.

QF have those in the loos as well..it's a (OH&S) requirement for the safe disposal of 'sharps' (ie needles..which people use for a variety of medical reasons) ..the needles go into the tamperproof container and container is replaced by cleaning staff on return to AUS..that's a general explanation!!

 

[seanpodge]

The no smoking signs, next to the fasten seatbelt ones, that light up are interesting. I noticed that on the new VA domestic 330's they have gone and been replaced with "Please turn off electronic devices."

Seen that on an US Airways A321 as well. Thought it was actually pretty practical given that the seat belt sign system can be a bit ambiguous at times. Hopefully all airlines move to this.

Haven't flown an A380 yet (will be on an SQ one in three weeks). Do they still have the covers for the ashtrays in the armrests or are they just a normal armrest now?

 

[under the radar]

Seen that on an US Airways A321 as well. Thought it was actually pretty practical given that the seat belt sign system can be a bit ambiguous at times. Hopefully all airlines move to this.

Haven't flown an A380 yet (will be on an SQ one in three weeks). Do they still have the covers for the ashtrays in the armrests or are they just a normal armrest now?

i haven't seen an armrest ashtray on QF for.....years...

 

[whatmeworry]

I don't smoke or seen anybody for years smoke on a plane, yet they allude their are smoke detectors on the plane? So if you are a smoker is the toilet the unwritten place to go?

 

[tuapekastar]

I don't smoke or seen anybody for years smoke on a plane, yet they allude their are smoke detectors on the plane? So if you are a smoker is the toilet the unwritten place to go?

That's exactly where the smoke detectors are (allegedly).

 

[eric2011]

And when the smoke detectors activate, 200 litres of foul smelling water, laced with blue dye is pumped through tiny jets at the rate of 400 us gallons per minute and instantly smother smokers and the offending article.


Ahh, we can only dream...

 

[Fruitcake]

That's exactly where the smoke detectors are (allegedly).

They're definitely there - and this is one of the reasons why:
Air Canada Flight 797 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also:
Varig Flight 820 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The reason toilets are alarmed is not only because it's the most likely place for a sneaky cigarette, but it's also a location where a lot of electrics and water come together - and for long periods of time the door might not be opened.

 

[TheRealTMA]

And when the smoke detectors activate, 200 litres of foul smelling water, laced with blue dye is pumped through tiny jets at the rate of 400 us gallons per minute and instantly smother smokers and the offending article.

I thought that was why they make you go back to your seat from the toilets during turbulence?

 

[Berlin]

So if you are a smoker is the toilet the unwritten place to go?

Yep it is, apparently even for crew members of certain airlines. There's plenty of ways to ensure those things don't go off if you have a sneaky one on the toilet. I've been told- haven't touched a single one of those cancer sticks myself since I quit almost ten years ago

 

[seanpodge]

i haven't seen an armrest ashtray on QF for.....years...

I haven't seen the inside of a QF plane for about 15 years. Even on recent flights, I still see (and annoyingly, feel) the ashtray cutouts.

To be fair, I'm pretty sure that Australia was an early mover on the non smoking issue. So it's quite probable that with the general upgrading of seats over time that all the ones with ashtrays have been dumped from the fleet. Now that the ban is global (or close to it), I'd be quite surprised if there was a seat model for new aircraft like the 380 or 787 from the seat manufactures that included an ashtray.

I don't smoke or seen anybody for years smoke on a plane, yet they allude their are smoke detectors on the plane? So if you are a smoker is the toilet the unwritten place to go?

Can't exactly just duck outside onto the wing for five minutes, can you? :shock: Probably the only place on the plane one could possibly smoke without the crew and ten passengers gang tackling you to the floor.*

* Might not be the case in China.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Its kinda like having those syringe containers in public toilets.

They have a legitimate requirement

 

[stewiejp]

It all depends how sensitive the detectors are - the smoke alarms don't go off at home if you smoke inside. Believe it or not the prison system has a smoke alarm in every prison cell, and 90%+ of prisoners smoke - they don't go off over night when they are puffing away, especially the doubles.

Flying JQ on Valentines' Day - will have a sneaky durrie in the loo and report back when I get home in March.

 

[Dee Thom]

Flying JQ on Valentines' Day - will have a sneaky durrie in the loo and report back when I get home in March.

That will be one day I will stay grounded due to your lack of respect for other travellers.

Cheers,
Dee.

 

[docjames]

Flying JQ on Valentines' Day - will have a sneaky durrie in the loo and report back when I get home in March.

Hope you're prepared to deal with the AFP on arrival (presuming you dont start a fire and have to deal with an aircraft evacuation or worse).