Hooters Air lifts off
United States: But analysts say skimpy outfits will not stop carrier going bust
A restaurant chain feted for its skimpily-dressed waitresses (and its spicy chicken wings) has launched an airline where the in-flight staff will wear hot pants and tank tops.
Hooters Air will operate a daily service from Atlanta to the east coast resort of Myrtle Beach, with two “Hooters girls” serving drinks and snacks to passengers. The owner of Hooters, Robert Brooks, said: “A lot of people these days don’t have a lot to smile about. We want to transcend that.”
The airline already has expansion plans; it will start operating a flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Myrtle Beach via Atlanta at the end of March. Fares are pretty much in line with other carriers servicing the same route – about $130 each way.
But while everyone at Hooters no doubt has great hopes for the new venture, others have their doubts. One analyst told Yahoo! News: “I expect Hooters Air to bounce along until they go bust. They will never be a major factor in the scheduled market. It is proof that there is no shortage of stupid ideas in the airline business.”
Displaying a bit of flesh at 35,000 feet appears to be developing into a trend; News From Abroad reported earlier this year that one United States charter company is now offering “naturist” flights, where passengers are allowed to strip off once the plane reaches cruising altitude.
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