Hooters Blazes Its Own Tacky Trail

With most airlines losing money, last month seemed like an odd time to launch a new carrier, but Hooters Air nonetheless jumped into the breach … and so far, seems to be surviving. Although its bright orange-and-white planes, bearing the Hooters logo and carrying Hooters waitresses clad in hot pants, flew at only about one-quarter-full capacity, company officials said they turned a profit. It seems the advertising dollars paid to the airline from the chain of 330 Hooters restaurants more than covered what was spent on operating costs. (more)”We’re comfortable where we are,” Hooters CEO Mark Peterson told the Myrtle Beach Sun News. “You don’t have to fill your airplane up to make it profitable. What’s not to like about a billboard that flies at 35,000 feet and 500 miles per hour? It’s a good business arrangement.” Both the airline and the restaurant chain are owned by multimillionaire Robert H. Brooks. The airline describes itself as “delightfully tacky. … A great experience that enlivens the senses and puts the Fun back in flying!”