The last trip I took was to Prague at the end of June. Unfortunately I left it quite late to book the flights - which doesn't always mean you benefit from late booking deals! The cheapest flight, at the most reasonable flight times were with bmibaby. The flights cost around £90 each return.
The journey out was okay, from Manchester to Prague. The check in attendants had the most miserable faces I've ever seen but luckily we only saw them for a few minutes.
On the flight there were no in flight meals as it was a short haul flight. The snacks and drinks were the same as on all flights - ridiculously expensive.
Got to Prague - our bags came off the plane quickly and off we went for a great few days.
The return journey was not so easy. We got to the airport about 2 and a quarter hours early, so even earlier than the reccommended 2 hours. There were no details on the flight board so we had to stand there staring at it gormlesssly waiting to see
which gate to check in at. Finally about an hour and a half before the flight was departing they displayed the Gate number.
This annoyed me for one thing as they state during your booking and on your tickets and your confirmation to try and get there 2 hours before departure, when they can't get their arse to the check in desk until an hour and a half before. ANYWAY.........
Went and had a bite to eat and a drink, got a magazine and sandwich for the plane and then started to make our way down to the security check and sit in the departure lounge. When we got through to the departure lounge there was no sign of the plane and there had been no calls for passengers even though it was due to take off in 10 minutes time. We sat with nothing to do, no cafe, no smoking area, just seats and toilets. Then 10 minutes after the we were meant to have taken off they said there was a half hour delay. The people at the departure desk told me they probably wouldn't let anybody go into the other part of the airport as there was only another 20 minutes to go! Then the plane finally arrived and by the time everyone wa on it it was 45 minutes later than expected. Passengers were then told they would have to wait 15 minutes before take off because of air traffic. They also informed us that the reason for the delay was because there was a delay at Manchester airport where it was flying to Prague from. Therefore if there was a delay at that end they would have known a long time before they told passengers but didn't inform anyone.
On the plane it would've also been useful for them to tell us that because of the delay any passengers who were getting the train from Manchester airport would've missed it as the last train had just gone.
Because of work on the railway line, we had to wait 40 minutes after getting off the plane to then get a bus to Victoriatrain station, then when the train came we had to wait for the staff to attach more carriages as there had been an Oasis concert and lots of people were getting on the same train. This isn't the airline's fault - but they could've informed us that we'd have a long wait when we got back to Manchester.
On the plane, it was satisfactory, facilities were clean, TV programmes were shown and there were the usual boring safety demonstrations and I could've done with a bit more leg room without having to pay extra. The cabin crew on the return journey were about as helpful as those on the way there - NOT VERY! The way I see it is that in any business, the staff should take care and be nice to the customers. It is the customer's who pay their wages and the staff's attitude were also another factor that has made me decide against ever flying with bmibaby again.
I also know a couple of other people who have travelled with bmi and have also been disappointed. One group of people I know got on their plane to then be told they would have to sit on it for an hour before they could take off. No refreshments were offered and they would have preferred an extra hour sat in the airport wandering around than cramped up on a plane.
I shall end the negativity there - don't want to put anyone due to travel with them off too much! The booking process was easy and the website was easy to navigate. You can sometimes get really cheap flights - other times not any cheaper than any other.
They fly between a limited number of destinations and do no long haul flights. It is mainly city break destinations.
An example in Leebd/Bradfor to Cork return fare in January in £135. There are also other things available on the website, for example car hire, travel insuranc, hotels and airport parking.
I've seen in other reviews some people have got very good deals and had no problems, this is my opinion on my experience only so don't be too put off. It's not so much the delay that was the problem, it was the lack of communication between the airline and customer. Us customers should've been kept better informed.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
You review concentrates more on other factors than the airline itself. Anywhere you go they advise to get their early, for the simple reason as not to let anyone get to the airport late and miss check-in altogether. Like 'fizzytom' mentioned you have a forty minute buffer, but once checked in you have to get past security etc.
All airlines face delays of one or another, they make you sit on the plane for a simple reason, if the doors are closed and they are ready to depart but have a restriction they can take the next slot available, if people are still wandering around the terminal, they have to wait and board them etc etc....Im not defending the airline im pointing out the obvious. People with onward travel should take into consideration delays, especially with air traffic nowadays, although its not really acceptable. But the airline holds no responsibility for onward arrangements. Maybe you could speak about the airline in general, the aircraft interior, why were the crew not helpful, and what should people expect when they book with them.
Elaina18 18.05.2006 00:05
Shame - I've never had problems with BMI but have had with Ryanair and Flybe!
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Sep 8th, 2005
very helpful by (48%):
helpful by (43%):
somewhat helpful by (10%):
