Ravreby v. United Airlines, Inc.

UHLENHOPP, Justice.

This appeal involves the responsibility of an airline, as a common carrier, to protect its non-smoking passengers from the effects of tobacco smoke from smoking passengers.

In July 1977, plaintiff Mark D. Ravreby, a Des Moines physician and member of the Iowa bar, purchased from defendant United Airlines, Inc., a first-class round trip ticket to Reno, Nevada, for $410. At the time Dr. Ravreby checked in for his flight on July 28, 1977, United personnel asked him whether he preferred a seat in a smoking or no-smoking section. He requested a no-smoking seat. Upon boarding the…