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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBMI BRITISH MIDLAND
BMI is the UK's second largest scheduled service operator serving 19 domestic and European routes, with over 1,500 flights per week. Transatlantic services from Manchester to points in the US were inaugurated in April 2001. With a fleet of around 50 aircraft and with several more Airbus A320 and A321 craft on order, it is the UK's second largest scheduled service airline.Originally, and until 1989, a primarily domestic UK carrier, BMI is now primarily a European carrier, with a 60-40 split of revenues. All told, it serves 30 UK and European cities, and has won international awards as both a UK and a European airline. Also, BMI British Midland introduced its new low-fare airline, bmibaby, in January 2002 at East Midlands Airport.
BMI has introduced, for passengers traveling in transatlantic Business Class, the "bmi experience" with luxurious, ergonomically designed sleeper seats with 60 inches of legroom and a recline of 160 degrees, set ups for work with laptops, telephones, and data ports at each seat, 11 movie and nine television channels played through 9-inch armrest-mounted screens, the latest Nintendo games and classic PC games, and sixteen audio channels. When the time comes to dine, travelers can take their pick from a full and varied selection of modern, international cuisine akin to the very best restaurant food, prepared by a fully qualified onboard chef. On the return flight to Manchester, the airline offers a way to come back to earth gently with a complimentary Arrivals package of shower, gym, swim, coffee and croissant at The Radisson SAS Hotel, Manchester.
BMI's new economy class provides dedicated check-in and fast track security facilities, including telephone check-in for passengers with hand luggage only, seats with six inches more legroom than in standard economy class, adjustable footrest, headrest and lumber support, laptop power, telephones and data ports at each seat, a choice of fine international, modern cuisine, state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment with individual seat-back screens, 11 movie and nine television channels plus 16 audio channels.
Passengers can also play the latest Nintendo games and classic PC games and follow takeoff and landing with a bird's-eye view camera mounted in the nose and belly of the aircraft. And the complimentary comfort kit will surely be appreciated.
BRITISH AIRWAYS
British Airways flies to 233 destinations in 96 countries. British Airways is one of the founding partners of the Oneworld alliance which now includes American Airlines, Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, LanChile, and Qantas. A classy, efficient, customer-oriented airline that's run with sophistication and style.In a class by itself is Concorde. British Airways resumed Concorde SST service from London to New York Kennedy on November 7, 2001. The world's fastest civil aircraft, both in the air and on the ground, Concorde is the only aircraft that lets you arrive in New York before you feel you've left London. From 250mph on takeoff to a cruising speed of 1350mph, she takes you through the sound barrier to travel at twice the speed of sound flying on the edge of space, at 60,000 ft above the ground. Concorde interiors have been refurbished while it was grounded; stunning new cabin interiors have been installed, and the new seat will cradle you in comfort and adjust to support your back. Seat have been finished in the richest Connolly leather. Exquisite cuisine worthy of the best restaurants in the world is a key part of the Concorde experience and is delivered by a dedicated crew. British Airways has redesigned the entire food service, working alongside renowned restaurateur Attila Dogudan. Choose from a menu of delicious, award-winning recipes with light options from around the world, served on Royal Doulton bone china, with fine linen and gleaming silverware. And to compliment your meal with a beverage, the Concorde Cellar boasts the finest selection of wines and vintage champagnes in the air.
Nothing quite matches the sheer refinement of First Class. The new First has been inspired by the interior designer Kelly Hoppen, using the highest quality fabrics and materials: Connolly leather, like that in the interior of a Rolls Royce; Wedgwood white bone china; Irish linens and velvet trim blankets and cushions. Set your own schedule. Dine a la Carte, and eat what you want, when you want, choose even preflight dining to maximize time to sleep on board (available at London Heathrow and Gatwick, Toronto, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Detroit). On board passengers choose exactly what they want to eat, when they want to eat it, from five-course meals to light snacks, the finest wines, champagnes and spirits from around the world served at any time, along with espresso or cappuccino. Select from extensive in-flight entertainment with a choice of 18 video and 16 audio channels, plus a personal video player and a library of 45 videos shown on a larger video screen, or stretch out on the refined comfort seat, which, at the push of a button, converts effortlessly to a 6ft6in/195cm flat bed. For those who need to work, seat power for laptops is available and includes cables on board for the duration of the flight. There are individual telephones in every seat, and a "Visitor's Seat" to conduct meetings or have dinner with colleagues.
British Airway's Club World is the world's first business class to offer a fully flat bed. Each seat converts at the touch of a button to a 6ft /180cm fully flat bed. The seat incorporates a fully adjustable headrest with "ears", four way lumbar support, and a footstool that adjusts for personal comfort. The seat pitch is 73in/185cm versus leading competitor's 60in/152cm pitch, overall 30% more space and features new armchair style seats with footstools, set in newly designed interiors offering a relaxed lounge environment. Passengers may select from 18 TV and film options or 12 CD quality or audio channels, or if they wish, plug in their laptop and work right through. Choose your personal lighting option from three brightness settings. On short night flights leaving key US East Coast gateways, Good Night Express Service lets passengers eat right after boarding and then sleep the rest of the flight away, or take advantage of the preflight dining option and then sleep all the way to London.
New Club Europe is for European business customers to relax in new luxurious leather seats and enjoy the lighter, brighter cabin environment. The newly designed cabin accommodates a generous hand baggage allowance of 18kg, and new menus offer a lighter, healthier choice of food, tailored to length of flight and time of day. Club Europe lounges are available in key European cities (including Heathrow Terminals 1 & 4 and Gatwick) and include business facilities, showers, a complimentary bar and all day snacks.
The airline offers its World Traveler Plus, a full-fare Economy Class on all seven daily services between London Heathrow and New York JFK. World Traveler Plus has its own dedicated cabin fitted up to 40 wider seats with 38in pitch (compared with 31in in World Traveler). The fully adjustable headrest with ears offers more comfort, along with the inflatable lumbar support and movable leg rest and footrest. All seats are equipped with in-seat power and telephones, and each seat back includes a 12-channel television offering films, comedy, drama and news programs. British Airways is radically upgrading its World Traveler Economy Class on its entire long-haul fleet, with ergonomically designed seats and seat back video screens available on all 777 aircraft and the majority of 747-400 aircraft. For families, it's the little extras that matter most -- priority boarding, early meals scheduled with your children in mind, activity packs, Hamleys toys, and 12 entertainment channels to choose from.
The gracious crews are attentive in true British fashion, seats have good leg room, and meals and wines are usually above average in Tourist Class, and excellent in First and Business classes. In the last five years, standards of cabin service have been the best in the business, although now some other carriers are catching up. There are some dissenting voices who find fault with the cabin crews' attitudes and are not impressed with the food, but the majority would not argue with its claim to be the world's favorite airline -- and passenger figures tend to bear this out. It is certainly the leader amongst European carriers. And along with Air France, BA operates Concorde, which is a class apart.
BWIA WEST INDIES AIRWAYS
The flag-carrier of Trinidad and Tobago, provides direct services from the Caribbean to the US and Canada, as well as across the North Atlantic to London.Premium Class is the airline's Business Class, and offers the maximum in comfort. Wide ergonomically designed seats provide plenty of legroom, and flight attendants will serve fine wines and champagne during the flight. On the ground, Business Class service includes separate airport check-in, the comfort and seclusion of hospitality lounges, and in London, chauffeur-driven airport transfers on request.
BWIA also offers Club BWee, an exclusive Travelers' Club that provides members with a range of valuable travel privileges, including: access to luxurious airport hospitality lounges in many BWIA destinations, special check-in facilities at Business Class counters, automatic enrollment in the BWIA Frequent Flyer program, priority status on unconfirmed bookings, waivers of date-change fees, discounts at selected restaurants, hotels and car rental agencies, a 10% discount on all purchases at BWIA's Sunjet duty-free and Gift Shop at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad.
Though some fliers report being pleasantly surprised by this unpretentious Caribbean island-hopper (which also flies to NYC and Miami), most call it a low-rent uncomfortable carrier that is often late and thinks nothing of canceling flights and leaving passengers stranded. If you do get on board at the scheduled time, service is friendly and the food acceptable, but there is always the worry about schedules. Could its initials stand for "But Will It Arrive?"
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