Fly BMI

[TheLocalYokel]

Many thanks KB. From that it doesn't sound as if it's quite the same as when flybmi (or bmi regional as they were at the time) flew the route for Brussels Airlines when I imagine boarding passes were issued at the first airport for the entire trip. The same would no doubt apply with a code share.

 

[Kernow Bravo]

For context, my itinerary was booked via the Brussels Airlines website, so BRU-BRS was showing the SN codeshare flight number on the e-ticket. However the boarding pass issued at BRU showed neither the SN flight number nor the SN booking reference.

So notwithstanding the hold luggage having been checked right through, from a FlyBMI perspective this seemed to be treated as an O&D sector. One might reasonably expect greater interoperability at BRU (and BRS) between the BM and SN systems based on the historical relationship between the carriers and the frequency on this route, but perhaps something has changed.

If BM is unable to issue BPs for SN flights then this may be a factor explaining why the previous BM-operated SN flight scenario is not being reinstated.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Many thanks, again. Your last paragraph makes a pertinent and probably valid point.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I've been reading flybmi trip reports in Skytrax. I know that Sytrax is often a conduit for moans rather than praise and some of the complaints raised about airlines can be subjective.

However, there is a catalogue of appalling experiences suffered by flybmi passengers this year, often on BRS routes. Unsurprisingly, they relate mainly to cancelled or seriously delayed flights and the way they were dealt with by the airline (its handlers work for the airline so an airline cannot escape responsibility because of that). A running theme is the extreme difficulty in obtaining compensation when flights are cancelled and seriously delayed, and less than adequate assistance from the airline or its representatives on these occasions.

When bmi regional first came to BRS they attracted rave reports on Skytrax. Whatever has happened since then?

In fairness, there doesn't seem to have been anything like the number of cancellations at BRS in recent weeks than was the case for much of the year. Is it too much to hope they might be beginning to get their act together again?

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Is the compensation referred to refreshment vouchers or delay EC261 compensation? If the latter then the Airline deal with that afterwards. Compensation will never get issued on the day.
If it's on the day assistance its the handler at the airport. But generally that is only someone to speak to/offer options or issue refreshment vouchers.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Is the compensation referred to refreshment vouchers or delay EC261 compensation? If the latter then the Airline deal with that afterwards. Compensation will never get issued on the day.
If it's on the day assistance its the handler at the airport. But generally that is only someone to speak to/offer options or issue refreshment vouchers.

Some report having to wait months and sometimes still not getting the money.

http://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/bmi-regional/

 

[tpm]

Just got an e-mail from flybmi advertising 'Turkish Delights' - apparently they've partnered up with Turkish Airlines. "Fly to the magical city of Istanbul from Manchester, London Heathrow or Dublin, where the East meets the West".

Not quite sure what the point of this is though - seems it just adds code-sharing with Turkish Airlines to their existing flights from/to Manchester etc. - perhaps to increase local reach?

Wonder what this could mean for BRS.

Do any of the current fleet have enough range to get to IST from Bristol?

 

[Marko1]

Funnily enough I saw Istanbul on the drop down menu as well and given that Bmi doesn't operate to any of the connecting points from Bristol I was wondering what relevance it could have

 

[Jerry]

Do any of the current fleet have enough range to get to IST from Bristol

I don't believe so. I'd imagine that they'd have to get 737s or A320s or A220s to serve a routes like the.

Funnily enough I saw Istanbul on the drop down menu as well and given that Bmi doesn't operate to any of the connecting points from Bristol I was wondering what relevance it could have

It could be accessible by connecting through BRU or FRA or MUC.

 

[Kernow Bravo]

Not quite sure what the point of this is though - seems it just adds code-sharing with Turkish Airlines to their existing flights from/to Manchester etc. - perhaps to increase local reach?

Wonder what this could mean for BRS.

I received this email as well - clearly a broadcast to the distribution list irrespective of home airport. Very weird that these flights are ex LHR, MAN and DUB, where BM currently offer few connections.

On the face of it, no-one in their right mind would book TK flights at BM prices! Presumably there are follow-up announcements to create connections (I think they did this with the AF domestic codeshares via CDG) , although it's hard to see how BRS would benefit.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

https://www.flybmi.com/en/press/flybmi-and-turkish-airlines-announce-new-codeshare-agreement

This is the press release on the flybmi website.

As far as BRS is concerned it seems the connections will be via flybmi flights to/from Dusseldorf and Paris Cdg.

flybmi and Turkish Airlines announce new codeshare agreement
Mon 01 Oct 2018
New partnership introduces Istanbul as a destination for flybmi

From 1 October 2018, flybmi customers will be able to enjoy flying on routes from the UK and Ireland to Istanbul thanks to a new codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines. The partnership will provide business and leisure travellers with an opportunity to book via flybmi.com and enjoy travel from Manchester, London Heathrow and Dublin to the Turkish metropole.

Furthermore, the codeshare will also open up routes within Europe for flybmi as customers will be able to fly on from Istanbul to Brussels, Paris, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Oslo as part of the agreement.

In return, Turkish Airlines customers will enjoy the benefits of flying on eight of flybmi’s European routes including inbound routes from Brussels to Newcastle and East Midlands, Norrköping and Saarbrücken to Munich, Oslo to Aberdeen and Hamburg, Dusseldorf and Paris to Bristol.

The strategic move strengthens both airlines’ network presence throughout Europe with each enjoying significant benefits for both inbound and outbound travel.

Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer of flybmi, explains, “This new codeshare with our Partner, Turkish Airlines, enables our customers to book flights to Istanbul via flybmi.com, taking us to Turkey for the first time in the airline’s history. This is yet another step for flybmi in building a comprehensive network of strategic airline partnerships that allow us to reach new customers and widen our overall network reach. Entering into this partnership with Turkish Airlines is part of our over-arching strategy to further improve connectivity to/from our network of key business regions throughout Europe.”

Ahmet Bolat, Chief Investment and Technology Officer of Turkish Airlines, said, “We are pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with flybmi and aim to improve our partnership to maximize the travel opportunities offered to our passengers through the networks of both airlines.”

Turkish Airlines connects 255 international destinations and Istanbul, as the only city in the world having settled on two continents, serves as a main hub of Turkish Airlines. It offers transcontinental advantages provided by its unique location in Eurasia and makes connecting flights to destinations all around the globe easier than ever.


Fares on the ex UK routes from Manchester, Heathrow and Dublin can be booked via www.flybmi.com. All fares are inclusive of 23kg of hold luggage, allocated seating and complimentary in-flight drinks and snacks.

Fares have gone on sale from 24 September 2018, with travel from 1 October 2018.

 

[Jerry]

More jets to go to Loganair. Will be interesting to see if that starts effecting their ops at BRS in the future.
http://m.atwonline.com/airframes/scotland-s-loganair-increase-jet-fleet

 

[TheLocalYokel]

More jets to go to Loganair. Will be interesting to see if that starts effecting their ops at BRS in the future.
http://m.atwonline.com/airframes/scotland-s-loganair-increase-jet-fleet

Either flybmi will be contracting or they will have to find some more aircraft if they are to lose aircraft to the other airline in the group, Loganair. If it is a contraction it remains to be seen where the axe will fall. I think that BRS is their biggest UK base.

Although Loganair is being vocal about its BM acquisitions the same can't be said about flybmi recently, although perhaps their oft-mentioned intention to source larger aircraft for some of their routes is in the throes of coming about and they will tell the public when they are ready to do so.

 

[superking]

Aircraft G RJXC a ERJ 4 arrived from INV this afternoon. It was a BMIR flight but a Loganair flight number. LOG 819 but fr24 has it as a BM aircraft. I checked Jethros fleet listings and this aircraft is still registered to BMI.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Maybe LOG will operate some of the BM flights with LOG crew. Given the crewing issues BM have had it may ease the pressure and saves opening a crew base in Scotland.

 

[superking]

Easyjet do INV. How long BMI been doing INV. I would have thought not enough pax for doing INV with 2 airlines.

 

[alphagolf]

Easyjet do INV. How long BMI been doing INV. I would have thought not enough pax for doing INV with 2 airlines.

flybmi don't operate flights between BRS and INV, I would suggest it was a positioning flight as it is due to operate BM2001 BRS-BRU at 0605 tomorrow morning.

 

[big g]

Positioning sector from INV. The aircraft is still in BMI colours.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Well done flybmi and Bristol Airport for helping to support this extremely worthwhile charity.

I know people who have benefited from the incredible work that Chidren's Hospice South West (CHSW) performs. They run three children's hospices: one in Cornwall; one in Devon; one in North Somerset not far from the airport.

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab.../bristol-airport-and-flybmi-sponsor-santa-run

Bristol Airport and flybmi sponsor Santa Run
Created: 26th Oct 2018

The annual Santas on the Run 2k fun run is taking place in Bristol on Sunday, December 9.

Santas on the Run is the biggest and most spectacular festive charity event, which attracts thousands of people from the city and beyond, of all ages and abilities.

Organised by Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), participants are given a Santa suit to wear on the day and asked to raise sponsorship, which goes directly towards supporting families at CHSW’s local hospice, Charlton Farm.

This year, Bristol Airport and flybmi are joining forces to sponsor Santas on the Run and are offering a fantastic incentive for participants to raise as much money as possible for CHSW.

flybmi has donated a pair of return tickets to the individual Santa who raises the highest sponsorship. The lucky individual has the option of flying out of Bristol to one of its many European destinations: Aberdeen, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Munich, Milan or Paris. The tickets will be valid for travel until 30 June 2019 with all taxes and charges for the flights paid by flybmi.

Antony Price, director of customer and marketing at flybmi said: “We are delighted to support this very worthwhile local cause. Bristol is a major hub for flybmi and to be able to give back to the community who support our airline is a wonderful opportunity. I wish all the participants the very best of luck as they raise sponsorship and tackle this fun festive run.”

In addition, Bristol Airport will add to your flight experience with up to 8 days complimentary parking, two fast track security passes, and two executive lounge passes.

Bristol Airport has supported CHSW for many years and last year alone airport staff and travellers raised over £25k for the charity.

Nigel Scott, Bristol Airport’s business development director, said:
“We are proud to be supporting this year’s Santa’s on the Run event based around the iconic Bristol Harbourside. It is a great way of raising vital funds for the charity during the festive season and an event that can be enjoyed by all the family.

“We look forward to cheering on staff, passengers and local residents participating on the day having fun while raising money. To see up to 3,000 Santas participating is an event not to be missed!”
CHSW provides care and support to families living in the South West who have children with life-limiting conditions. Its offers specialist palliative care, respite for the whole family, a sibling service for brothers and sisters, emergency support, end of life care and a bereavement service for as long as families need it.

For more information, or to sign up to Santas on the Run, visit www.chsw.org.uk/event/santas-run-bristol-2018

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I saw a large banner advert on a city bus in Bristol this week promoting the BRS-DUS route. The advert also mentioned the other flybmi routes from BRS but there was no mention of Milan Malpensa.

I tried a test booking just now for BRS-MXP in November but there was no availability for any of the dates I tried that encompassed an entire week.

I have a vague recollection of reading earlier this year that the MXP route was not being extended into winter this year. Can anyone confirm or correct this impression?