- A few major American airports still permit smoking in designated areas.David Zanzinger/Pixland/Getty Images
While most airports are completely smoke-free, some American hubs still permit travelers to smoke on their grounds. These airports prohibit smoking in their main public thoroughfares, but provide designated smoking rooms or lounges that permit smoking. Travelers should know that although the Transportation Safety Authority (TSA) permits safety matches and common lighters in carry-on luggage, torch lighters and lighter fluid are still banned. - According to U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport was the nation's busiest in 2009, serving approximately 41,700,000 travelers. Hartsfield-Jackson International provides 13 smoking lounges throughout the airport, with two smoking lounges in Concourses B, C, D and near the T-Gates. Concourse E has three smoking lounges and passengers near Concourse A may smoke in the Budweiser Brewhouse & Smoking Lounge. Most of the airport's smoking areas are located away from the most heavily trafficked areas, so expect a short hike before you're able to light up.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 North Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320
800-897-1910
atlanta-airport.com - While health advocates want a complete ban on smoking within Denver International Airport, Denver's deputy aviation manager Patrick Heck argues that banning smoking completely could cause the airport to lose business. As of October 2010, Denver International still has four lounges that permit smoking. The Aviator's Club has locations near the B gates and in the west side of Jeppesson Terminal, and has a one-drink minimum for all patrons. The Smokin' Bear Lounge provides a smoking area near the C gates and enforces a five dollar minimum purchase policy. Mesa Verde provides a smoking area near the A gates along with burgers and cocktails.
Denver International Airport
8500 Pena Boulevard
Denver, CO 80249-6340
303-342-2000
flydenver.com - Washington D. C.'s Dulles Airport opened in 1962 to ease the air traffic burden on Washington National Airport and served more than 23,000,000 passengers in 2009. Dulles provides smoking lounges near gates B38, B75, C4 and D30. Dulles also offers 10 full service restaurants and bars, including Harry's Tap Room and Moe's Grill and Bar, along with 22 other food vendors serving travelers in search of a quick snack.
Dulles International Airport
1 Aviation Circle
Washington, DC 20001
703-417-8600
metwashairports.com - Tampa International Airport opened in 1971 and leased land to the fledgling Tampa Bay Buccanneers in 1976 for use as a headquarters and training ground. While smoking is prohibited anywhere indoors, Tampa International provides outdoor observation decks beyond the security checkpoints at Airsides A, C, E and F where smoking is permitted. Smokers who wish to light up before they pass through their checkpoint must step outside Landside Terminal.
Tampa International Airport
P.O. Box 22287
Tampa, FL 33622
813-870-8700
tampaairport.com
previous post
next post