I was returning from Amsterdam with FlyBmi. As we arrived at the airport for our return flight, we were informed our flight to heathrow was cancelled due to Weather conditions. However what I dont understand is that other flights were still flying to London, in fact another BMI flight had departed 20minutes before our flight was scheduled to depart.
Me and my party were left stranded at the airport. So we decided to speak to Check-in staff, they were busy as expected, but it was a Sunday Evening so could have been a lot worse. However what happened next was appaling. We were made to wait in a queue for three hours, no refreshements were offered and no communication was provided to any of their customers.
Other Flights still continued to depart to London, it seemed like only our flight was cancelled, a few people before us were offered alternative flights, however my party was totally refused alternative arrangements. I had made the point to check in staff that we were all willing to travel individually to ensure we can get home, they point blank refused to put us on alternative flights. Even with my explanation that I had a pregrnant wife at home who had fallen ill, and also having working commitments nothing was offered. I did manage to speak to other passengers, some of whom told me they had been offered flights on Easy Jet, BA and other airlines, who were still managing to fly to London despite the "bad" weather.
Once I did manage to get back to London, I did make a call to customer services, where I reached a lady who was struggling to speak English, she gave me some dud email address for me to register my complaint. I then had to use google to find a functional email address that worked, as on the BMI website there is no customer service email address. I got a response later than the 28 days allocated time, in fact it was 6 days late. I also received many automated responses when asking legitimate questions. Imagine the irritiation that caused me. Its like going to a bank and asking for details on an Overdraft and being given leaflets on how to make Pasta. It is just plain stupid.
At the end of it I requested compensation, they offered me a healthy sum of £0. Other points about the Airlines; On the way to Amsterdam, we were offered no refreshments, a trolley did go half way down the plane but stopped as we were about to land. Fair enough, but considering they started the refreshment service 10 minutes before landing it is another appaling service offered by the company. The Plane was also dirty and the seat I got was damp.
Alll in all THE WORST experience I have had with an airline and I am a frequent flyer. I have received better service and comfort when using budget airlines that are operated in Sub-continenet Asia and Africa, that does go in some way explaing what BMI is really like.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Hello just a couple of points from an ex flight attendant (not for BMI)
Weather problems-your plane could quite possibly have been stuck at another aiport due to weather or due to crew going over hours due to the weather maybe there was no crew for the flight.
Onboard service: Amsterdam is a very short flight anyway-45 minutes flying time total so perhaps onboard refreshments are not really needed? Cabin crew also have security checks etc to make and the flight desk pilots to deal with and any safety related duties come first.
Welcome to Ciao :-)
memphisto_chick 09.01.2008 17:09
Welcome to Ciao, sounds like a disaster for you. I rarely fly budget but BMI are my 'local' budget airline- they fly from Cardiff- but I'd have to think twice.
DixieChick10 09.01.2008 16:43
know now not 2 fly with that airline. When we went 2 Lanzarote I had the 'kid kicing me in the back' the whole ride... I could see the father laughing, so in the end I pushed my seat back as far as it would go and he had the nerve 2 moan at me... I told him 2 fuck off and stop his son. I hate that airline... gr8 review. Kirsty
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Record Rent a Car is present in the main spanish airports and has a very wide fleet. We offer: exceptional discounts, free additional drivers,
unlimited mileage... subscribe to our Club Record and take advantage of special offers.
Jan 9th, 2008
very helpful by (100%):
