Fly bmi
- Thread starter White Heather
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- #163
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
Yeah i'd heard about the Frankfurt rumours again as well. But like somebody mentioned bmi regional wont be allowed access until the new 3rd runway opens. Also heard that bmi's LBA base is still over crewed. By all acounts bmi still have enough crew stationed at LBA to operate 2 based Embrear's. Presently 1 aircraft based at LBA operating the Brussels while the extra based crews do the BAe/Airbus Shuttle Charters out of Harwarden to Toulouse and so on.
Dose anyone know when the 3rd runway at Frankfurt is due to open?
Yeah i'd heard about the Frankfurt rumours again as well. But like somebody mentioned bmi regional wont be allowed access until the new 3rd runway opens. Also heard that bmi's LBA base is still over crewed. By all acounts bmi still have enough crew stationed at LBA to operate 2 based Embrear's. Presently 1 aircraft based at LBA operating the Brussels while the extra based crews do the BAe/Airbus Shuttle Charters out of Harwarden to Toulouse and so on.
Dose anyone know when the 3rd runway at Frankfurt is due to open?
- Admin
- #164
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
The name change back to British Midland International signals a return to a regional focus so I think (optimistically) that we could see something out of this, maybe not the rumoured Frankfurt but as Bigman has pointed out, there are so many Star Alliance hubs that LBA could serve.
The name change back to British Midland International signals a return to a regional focus so I think (optimistically) that we could see something out of this, maybe not the rumoured Frankfurt but as Bigman has pointed out, there are so many Star Alliance hubs that LBA could serve.
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
Frankfurt has had 3 runways for many years: 2 parallel which are cleared for mixed mode ops and a runway at 90 degrees that I believe is only used for departures.
At times the queues can be as bad as LHR so don't hold your breath.
Frankfurt has had 3 runways for many years: 2 parallel which are cleared for mixed mode ops and a runway at 90 degrees that I believe is only used for departures.
At times the queues can be as bad as LHR so don't hold your breath.
TheLocalYokel
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- #166
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
Frankfurt is embarking on a 4 billion euro expansion which should take the annual capacity to around 80 mppa.
Included in this is a new (4th) runway which according to reports will be opened sometime this year.
Frankfurt is embarking on a 4 billion euro expansion which should take the annual capacity to around 80 mppa.
Included in this is a new (4th) runway which according to reports will be opened sometime this year.
whoshotjimmi
Well-Known Member
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
I have just been looking at fares to Brussels in June for a possible break in Belgium. The astonishment of my reaction to the hideousness of the results of this search can not be properly put down in words. £400 return for 2 passengers economy. Is this for real? Do people actually pay this amount of money to travel? I could drive to Brussels on a full tank of petrol for crying out loud.
What astonished me more was the Business fares. Over £650!!! And what does one get in return for the extra £250? A hot meal (as opposed to a snack), desk check in, one extra bag and access to the premier lounge. This is completely ludicrous. I can't believe genuine business people are prepared to pay that. It is, if nothing else, bad business.
I don't know what has happened to BMI. I remember flying to Paris where the BMI fares were cheaper than Jet2. I remember flying to Heathrow for £19. It is such a shame that they are no longer available to the masses. They used to be such a wonderful airline. So, I'm sorry, but my trip to Bruges will either be via Car and Calais or Car and Zebrugge.
I have just been looking at fares to Brussels in June for a possible break in Belgium. The astonishment of my reaction to the hideousness of the results of this search can not be properly put down in words. £400 return for 2 passengers economy. Is this for real? Do people actually pay this amount of money to travel? I could drive to Brussels on a full tank of petrol for crying out loud.
What astonished me more was the Business fares. Over £650!!! And what does one get in return for the extra £250? A hot meal (as opposed to a snack), desk check in, one extra bag and access to the premier lounge. This is completely ludicrous. I can't believe genuine business people are prepared to pay that. It is, if nothing else, bad business.
I don't know what has happened to BMI. I remember flying to Paris where the BMI fares were cheaper than Jet2. I remember flying to Heathrow for £19. It is such a shame that they are no longer available to the masses. They used to be such a wonderful airline. So, I'm sorry, but my trip to Bruges will either be via Car and Calais or Car and Zebrugge.
pilot_737
Active Member
- Jan 13, 2010
- 231
- 93
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
Wait till you see the fares for the ferry to Zeebrugge whoshotjimmi, just as staggering as bmi! (Well at least I thought they were!)
I was looking at getting to Brussels for a festival near the end of June, Norfolk line ferries was the cheapest from Dover to Dunkirk I think!
Wait till you see the fares for the ferry to Zeebrugge whoshotjimmi, just as staggering as bmi! (Well at least I thought they were!)
I was looking at getting to Brussels for a festival near the end of June, Norfolk line ferries was the cheapest from Dover to Dunkirk I think!
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
At risk of stating the obvious, people DO pay those fares, because otherwise they won't be that high. They'd be much cheaper if they had a shortage of passengers. Don't forget it runs on a miniature Embraer which costs about the same to run as what a 737 would, but with only 30 odd passengers instead of ~150. Brussels isn't really a tourist destination (Bruge on the other hand...), so these flights are primarily aimed at business travellers, who will generally travel at short notice, and will pay anything. Have you tried Eurostar? They do some very good deals, and can offer through tickets from Leeds. There's also easyJet from Liverpool.
At risk of stating the obvious, people DO pay those fares, because otherwise they won't be that high. They'd be much cheaper if they had a shortage of passengers. Don't forget it runs on a miniature Embraer which costs about the same to run as what a 737 would, but with only 30 odd passengers instead of ~150. Brussels isn't really a tourist destination (Bruge on the other hand...), so these flights are primarily aimed at business travellers, who will generally travel at short notice, and will pay anything. Have you tried Eurostar? They do some very good deals, and can offer through tickets from Leeds. There's also easyJet from Liverpool.
whoshotjimmi
Well-Known Member
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
I actually thought the fares to Zebrugge were quite reasonable - a little more expensive than the average low cost airline, but then, you are getting a lot more for the price. When you consider that you would also have your car with you, it is a no brainer.
I stand by my point regarding fares with BMI. How can they justify charging £250 extra for Business class for a couple of bags, a hot meal and a spot in the premier lounge? That is before flexi tickets are brought into the equation. They were more than £800. (All prices quoted for 2 persons). I am just flabbergasted that businesses are prepared to throw that sort of money at a 90 minute flight.
I actually thought the fares to Zebrugge were quite reasonable - a little more expensive than the average low cost airline, but then, you are getting a lot more for the price. When you consider that you would also have your car with you, it is a no brainer.
I stand by my point regarding fares with BMI. How can they justify charging £250 extra for Business class for a couple of bags, a hot meal and a spot in the premier lounge? That is before flexi tickets are brought into the equation. They were more than £800. (All prices quoted for 2 persons). I am just flabbergasted that businesses are prepared to throw that sort of money at a 90 minute flight.
wawkrk
Active Member
- Jan 17, 2009
- 478
- 0
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
whoshotjimmi:
You don't seem to be familiar with business class fares.
LBA-AMS 98GBP economy, Euroselect 585GBP.This is not even true business class, same seats with 487GBP meal.
This has always been the case with the many many airlines I have used in business class over the last 30 years travelling worldwide.There has been worse examples than this.
whoshotjimmi:
You don't seem to be familiar with business class fares.
LBA-AMS 98GBP economy, Euroselect 585GBP.This is not even true business class, same seats with 487GBP meal.
This has always been the case with the many many airlines I have used in business class over the last 30 years travelling worldwide.There has been worse examples than this.
whoshotjimmi
Well-Known Member
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
It is not a case of not being familiar - I believe the fares are justified on a flight where there is a significantly better level of service. But for the business fare on the Brussels flight you get exactly the same as someone who has spent 25% you have except for the benefit of a meal and extra baggage allowance. That, I'm afraid, is ludicrous.
It is not a case of not being familiar - I believe the fares are justified on a flight where there is a significantly better level of service. But for the business fare on the Brussels flight you get exactly the same as someone who has spent 25% you have except for the benefit of a meal and extra baggage allowance. That, I'm afraid, is ludicrous.
pilot_737
Active Member
- Jan 13, 2010
- 231
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Re: British Midland International (BMI)
It's the same with trains! I recently travelled to London on the Grand Central train from Bradford. I knew the conductor so I got a ride in 1st class but a fella was prepared to pay an extra £150 to upgrade his economy ticket to first just so he could come sit in our carriage! And for what!! A slightly comfier seat (all seats on GC are fairly luxurious compared to other operators), different coloured interior, quieter and free sandwiches! (I believe free tea and biscuits (and wifi) is available for all passengers!)
I too can't believe some businesses fork out such expenses!
It's the same with trains! I recently travelled to London on the Grand Central train from Bradford. I knew the conductor so I got a ride in 1st class but a fella was prepared to pay an extra £150 to upgrade his economy ticket to first just so he could come sit in our carriage! And for what!! A slightly comfier seat (all seats on GC are fairly luxurious compared to other operators), different coloured interior, quieter and free sandwiches! (I believe free tea and biscuits (and wifi) is available for all passengers!)
I too can't believe some businesses fork out such expenses!
cmj
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2011
- 234
- 28
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
That's hardly a fair comparison. It's not just the meal (and baggage allowance and lounge access). Your 585 Europe Business Class (as is it now) is also a much more flexible ticker than the 98 quid Economy one. If you want to fly a different day/time you can, if there is room, just change it. There are fully flexible economy tickets that also let you do this, for a price somewhere between the two. but you don't get the BC extras.
In the same way you can to London and back on the train for something like 10 quid each way if you book in advance, take the exact train you specified and so on or pay for a fully flexible 'turn up whenever you want' ticket. Now I think the 300 quid or whatever it is East Coast charge for a fist class fully open ticket isn't something I'd pay ever out of my own pocket, but you can't really compare it to a totally non-flexible advanced purchase ticket.
I flew out KLM Europe Business yesterday.
wawkrk said:
That's hardly a fair comparison. It's not just the meal (and baggage allowance and lounge access). Your 585 Europe Business Class (as is it now) is also a much more flexible ticker than the 98 quid Economy one. If you want to fly a different day/time you can, if there is room, just change it. There are fully flexible economy tickets that also let you do this, for a price somewhere between the two. but you don't get the BC extras.
In the same way you can to London and back on the train for something like 10 quid each way if you book in advance, take the exact train you specified and so on or pay for a fully flexible 'turn up whenever you want' ticket. Now I think the 300 quid or whatever it is East Coast charge for a fist class fully open ticket isn't something I'd pay ever out of my own pocket, but you can't really compare it to a totally non-flexible advanced purchase ticket.
I flew out KLM Europe Business yesterday.
- Admin
- #175
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
How do the BMI fares from LBA compare these days with those at say MAN on like for like routes these days?
Looking back at the days when BMI served Heathrow from Leeds Bradford Airport the route was always over priced even back then. Some passengers paid well over £400 for the extra prawn sandwich and a curtain between them and the riffraff sat at the back.
BMI have always seemed more bothered about getting the odd one or two business class passengers than filling the plane with bums on seats when LBA is concerned yet on similar routes else where they seem to have a different policy.
How do the BMI fares from LBA compare these days with those at say MAN on like for like routes these days?
Looking back at the days when BMI served Heathrow from Leeds Bradford Airport the route was always over priced even back then. Some passengers paid well over £400 for the extra prawn sandwich and a curtain between them and the riffraff sat at the back.
BMI have always seemed more bothered about getting the odd one or two business class passengers than filling the plane with bums on seats when LBA is concerned yet on similar routes else where they seem to have a different policy.
- Moderator
- #176
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
For some reason bmi regional are operating this mornings inbound BD1612 service from Brussels and outbound BD1613 to Brussels this lunchtime via East Midlands for some reason by the LBA based aircraft?
I t looks as though the East Mids based aircraft might have gone tech..
For some reason bmi regional are operating this mornings inbound BD1612 service from Brussels and outbound BD1613 to Brussels this lunchtime via East Midlands for some reason by the LBA based aircraft?
I t looks as though the East Mids based aircraft might have gone tech..
White Heather
Elite Pro-Member
- Thread starter
- #177
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
Well loads can't be too clever then if a 35 seat aircraft is doing a split load via EMA! I guess Wednesday is a quiet day though!
Well loads can't be too clever then if a 35 seat aircraft is doing a split load via EMA! I guess Wednesday is a quiet day though!
- Moderator
- #178
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
I forget to mention that yesterday afternoon bmi regional did position in one of there larger Embraer 145's from Manchester as BD9131 to operate yesterday afternoon/evening Brussels services to/from LBA. It then positioned out to Edinburgh last night as BD9132.
Meanwhile the smaller LBA based Embrear 135 was used at EMA yesterday afternoon/due to a tech aircraft issue down there. The aircraft did repositioned into LBA from EMA last night as BD9133 to operate todays 3 return sectors.
White Heather said:
I forget to mention that yesterday afternoon bmi regional did position in one of there larger Embraer 145's from Manchester as BD9131 to operate yesterday afternoon/evening Brussels services to/from LBA. It then positioned out to Edinburgh last night as BD9132.
Meanwhile the smaller LBA based Embrear 135 was used at EMA yesterday afternoon/due to a tech aircraft issue down there. The aircraft did repositioned into LBA from EMA last night as BD9133 to operate todays 3 return sectors.
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
It does make me wonder how BmiRegional actually get passengers from LBA.
A friend of mine is due to go up to Glasgow for a Sports venue and she told me that Bmi asked her for £365 return for a 2 night trip, just herself travelling.
I understand that a lot of travellers flying with Bmi will be 'regulars' with the Bmi Loyalty scheme, but what happens to those passengers who just want a flight on the 'one-off' basis. £365 is a little steep for passengers travelling to an airport with minimal onward connections.
She told me she is choosing the train, another passenger lost to the train!
It does make me wonder how BmiRegional actually get passengers from LBA.
A friend of mine is due to go up to Glasgow for a Sports venue and she told me that Bmi asked her for £365 return for a 2 night trip, just herself travelling.
I understand that a lot of travellers flying with Bmi will be 'regulars' with the Bmi Loyalty scheme, but what happens to those passengers who just want a flight on the 'one-off' basis. £365 is a little steep for passengers travelling to an airport with minimal onward connections.
She told me she is choosing the train, another passenger lost to the train!
whoshotjimmi
Well-Known Member
Re: British Midland International (BMI)
I have to say, tomleeds, that I posted on this subject earlier in the year when looking for flights to Belgium. The prices were absolutely horrific. At the time, I was told that the aircraft they use are relatively high cost and I countered this by suggesting they would be able to fill larger aircraft with lower fares. Certainly, the aircraft they do use are far more suited to connecting to worldwide links at large hubs rather than the short hop, point to point natured flights they do operate. I personally believe that the BMI Regional operation has entirely the wrong aircraft for the job the strategy they employ and the fares are absolutely ludicrous. Just think, at one time, this airline had 5 flights a day to Edinburgh, 4 a day to Glasgow, 3 a day to Paris and Brussels and nearly every one of them was full. Certainly, the world has changed since then but, sadly, BMI Regional has not and this is evident in the across the board reductions in services and the sky high fares for the ones that are left. It is just a shame that no-one is able to set up a rival to these 'services', though I firmly believe it is possible.
I have to say, tomleeds, that I posted on this subject earlier in the year when looking for flights to Belgium. The prices were absolutely horrific. At the time, I was told that the aircraft they use are relatively high cost and I countered this by suggesting they would be able to fill larger aircraft with lower fares. Certainly, the aircraft they do use are far more suited to connecting to worldwide links at large hubs rather than the short hop, point to point natured flights they do operate. I personally believe that the BMI Regional operation has entirely the wrong aircraft for the job the strategy they employ and the fares are absolutely ludicrous. Just think, at one time, this airline had 5 flights a day to Edinburgh, 4 a day to Glasgow, 3 a day to Paris and Brussels and nearly every one of them was full. Certainly, the world has changed since then but, sadly, BMI Regional has not and this is evident in the across the board reductions in services and the sky high fares for the ones that are left. It is just a shame that no-one is able to set up a rival to these 'services', though I firmly believe it is possible.
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