Crewmeal,
I am puzzled by your comments about your mate who was charged for refreshments on board his Birmingham-Dundee flight as this sector is operated by Loganair who offer "Complimentary onboard service on flights over 45 mins". Are you sure of your facts? Flybe are an essential airline providing domestic services which otherwise would be expensive or lengthy by road or rail. I don't see anyone else rushing to provide the services that they and their franchise partners do. In a market where the Government's policy on Air Passenger Duty is killing domestic business they are trying to provide a decent service and should be supported for what they do for the British economy and not dismissed as only suitable for carrying pensioners around. When you reach pensionable age I hope they are still around.