British Midland Airways - BD > Reviews > A Smooth and Comfortable Flight

Author's product rating:   

Food Quality	Satisfactory
Customer Service	Nothing special
Punctuality	Good
Space	Comfortable
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	good leg room, friendly inflight staff, good flight
Disadvantages:	some rude staff in the airport, catering not always good

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I'm back to write a review since I haven't in a while and after recently flying on a BMI Regional flight to Manchester I thought I would share my experience with you all. So it all begins on http://www.flybmi.com I looked at the competition of British Airways which were much more expensive even the low cost Jet2 were £20 more expensive but I settled with BMI fro a Manchester to Edinburgh return for around £63 which I considered very good.

I booked a couple of weeks before I was due to fly and then out of curiosity did a test booking a week or so before and the flights were then roughly £200 which proves if you book in plenty of time you will get the better deal.

So I got a reminder e-mail a week before going which was just to tell me a few minor details about baggage and check-in and then I printed it off as my e-ticket. So I went to the airport and there are the self check-in machines which you put your debit/credit card into and check in yourself but because I had a suitcase I went to regular check-in.

Instantly I was greeted with the woman who asked me where I was flying and went economy or business and then when I said economy she rudely went oh you'll be over there then. I then waited in the queue which took ages when hardly anyone was waiting and then I was about to walk forward the woman put out her hand and went no you'll have to wait and I thought this was very unwelcoming as a first time BMI flyer and already I was starting to have my doubts about the flight but finally I got my check in and was asked if I wanted an aisle or window seat. The boarding pass was given, I got a receipt and off I went.

I found it easy to get to my gate and the plane was smallish as it was a BMI regional flight. It had 2 seats on one side of the aisle and a single seat on the other. On my flight down to England I had a window seat and an empty seat next to me. The aircraft had a very low roof though and I'm not particularly tall but I had to keep my head low when sitting down because of the overhead compartments. Once sat down I found the seat was comfy, good leg room which was nice as when I fly with Easyjet it is never as comfortable. The safety talk was all done well and the crew seemed very happy to be part of the BMI team, presentable, clear voices, pleasant. I felt safe with their welcoming personalities. The captain was also very polite, regular updates which I sometimes find captains don't do and also warnings if necessary.

On the plane there was the chance of filling out a questionnaire which I did and also it gives you the chance to express your opinion of BMI. The good thing is as well for everyone who handed their questionnaire in there is a chance you can win a pair of BMI tickets on a flight which always is a good thing to add so more people fill it in.

In flight since it is a short flight you don't get a proper meal but on the way down I got a choice of three breakfast rolls and I hade a toasted ciabatta which I thought was very nice with tea or coffee, although on the way back home I was disappointed that all I got was a mini can of Diet Coke and shortbread, it was a bit pathetic for the time of night when I am hungrier and compared to what I got on the way down. There is also the in-flight magazine which was ok but nothing special so I didn't read much of that.

Overall though I found that the flight itself was very smooth, the take off and landing were great and I got a comfortable seat which I could have stayed in longer and still not been unhappy about. The crew were pleasant and I definitely would fly BMI again. I actually think after using British Airways also I would say BMI were better but I suppose the real test would come on taking a longer flight.

I was more disappointed by the BMI staff's attitude inside the airports because at the check-in desks they were rude but at the gate they were friendly and on flight. Maybe I just met some unfriendly ones though because the air stewards / hostesses were polite enough and I couldn't fault them there. The cleanliness of the aircraft was fine also, enough room overhead for hand luggage and even with the table down still didn't feel too restricted.

I would recommend booking on flybmi.com again for better deals also you can book with bmibaby.com although I haven't flown with them. They are not always the cheapest but for a decent airline they definitely do well.