Was on a cheap BMI trip to LHR this week. Flew down Wed on the BD003, sched at 0845. Got to the gate for 0820, saw only an Embraer there....erm, yes, that was our flight! Pretty full, as you'd expect, only my third flight on a Junglie, and OK if you don't have a huge person beside you. My carry on small roller bag was removed and re-delivered after landing at the steps. Surprised to see an Embraer 145 midweek, but after reading all about what had happened, not surprised.
Tonight, got to LHR at 1500, had stuff to do on the laptop and as there's no place to work landside, went thru (I was on the 2135 flight!!!) and settled down at Costa at Gate 8, watching the departing birds. At check-in laughed at BMI's huge "Welcome To Our Home" sign, thought that was EMA but hey ho. For anyone who hasn't travelled out of T1 lately, you go thru photo check, then security, into the BAA shops area, but if you want to sit at the gate and watch the action, you can't then return to the shops, unless you go landside again and thru the whole bollox. Security guy said that was OK to do that if I wanted to. In the event I worked until laptop ran out of juice (no sockets of any use, of course), then checked departures board....delayed until at least 2230. Just checked, and in fact BD14 landed at 0008, so must have got airborne about 2315!
I was on a ticket that cost £68 plus CC fee (no wonder they didn't make money), and after seeing the delay asked at the BMI desk how much it would be to get on the BD12, due to go at 1920 but delayed about 30 mins. The time was 1930. Girl checked and said that due to delays tonight, she'd get me on the BD12 for free! Boarded 10 mins later, departed at 2000, landed about 2100. Superb service, above and beyond, I'd say.
Interestingly, the BD12 was not available at sale fares, one way (even back in December) was about £100. The A319 was only about half full...maybe 70 pax? Aircraft was G-DBCA, which the crew announced had just been re-assigned from a Milan sector, which I was told BMI operate on behalf of Lufthansa Italia. BMI seats have been removed, regular old style LH seats installed, complete with LH logos on the armrests, LH magazine in the pocket, and LH Italia headrest covers.
On landing, crew says "We appreciate you have a choice of airline", but tailed off before he said "we hope you fly with BMI again in the future...." Laugh? I nearly started....
