rxfleming
Aug 13, 11, 12:34 pm
I'm on of those types - a BD*G for 4 years but fly BD probably around five or six times a year if I'm lucky, and hardly ever in J when I do (it just costs a ridiculous amount when you review the product you are getting).
Since BMI stopped flying from Glasgow, I've found myself on CO/US more frequently flying direct to the States, however, the recent Bonus Triple Miles in Business Promotion (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/bmi-diamond-club/1235686-bonus-double-miles-econ-triple-miles-biz-fly-11jul-31aug-11-targetted.html) that was sent to me earlier last month was just too good to miss - the chance to renew BD*Gold status at the fraction of the cost, and, by flying BD in their European Business Class too!
This is more of a 'snapshot' of BD's service and offerings, rather than a fully fledged trip report. All flights were taken over the 12th/13th August.
EDI-LHR (BD61)
I was originally scheduled for BD57, but they asked if anyone would volunteer to come off, and in the process earn 150GBP of e-vouchers with bmi. I gladly accepted. The domestic product has been revamped lately, with the new 'Posh Wraps', but the rest of the offering is pretty much the same. I have to say, the new wraps are delicious - I often enjoy them on AC transatlantic flights - and are a welcome change to the domestic catering in Flexible Economy. I would add that the drinks selection is awful - the white wine I received was lukewarm, and therefore, undrinkable. The cabin crew were quick however to apologise and offered alternatives.
LHR-BSL (BD169)
I was happy to see I had the same cabin crew for the flight as I had from BD61, and they were surprised to see me! We took off, and I was offered a meal of either 4-cheese pasta, or, Mediterranean Chicken with vegetables. Both served with a balsamic salad, and, Panna Cotta. The meal tray arrived on ceramic bowls and plates, with proper stainless steel cutlery, with my drink pre-poured for me in a glass - a much refreshing ,and welcome change from the old foil offerings of the past. I am happy to say my wine this time was chilled and much more flavoursome on the pallet. The flight was rather quick, and I wasn't able to finish my dinner before I was asked if they could take my tray away (I was in seat 4D, and the cabin was quite busy). I'm not sure if anyone else has been in this situation - I'm all for getting to my destination early - but when being served last, as a paid customer in J, and having only had your dinner for 5 minutes before you are told we are starting our descent, it is rather a kick in the teeth.
BSL-LHR BD160
I boarded to find I was the only one in the cabin, and Sam, the cabin supervisor, was more than happy to chat away and make me feel comfortable. She offered to make me a 'bucks fizz', and addressed me by my first name, only after checking this was ok with me first. I then received breakfast (again served in ceramic bowls with proper cutlery and glasses) which was delicious - a white cheese omelette, with some tater tot potatoes, and some tomatoes. I was feeling a bit more peckish, so Sam arranged for a 'Posh Wrap' from Economy to be brought up for me. I was in a chatty mood, and so was Sam, and we got talking about bmi, and their new routes. This is what I love about bmi, and the airline - the cabin crew, when they have the time (although, I admit, that I probably think Sam would give every customer the same level of treatment even with a busy cabin!) take considerable effort to get to know you in the short time they host you. She then offered to make me a 'Bloody Mary' - and by the end of the flight, she was coaxing me to go for a third. Legend!
LHR-EDI BD56
The flight was choc-a-bloc, and we were upgraded to a mid-haul A320 with proper business 2-2 layout (I think G-MIDT). Cabin service was swift and quick due to the full cabin and 55 minute journey up north. The cabin crew were very much just 'getting on with things'. But, here comes the part that really grinded my gears. It was a Saturday afternoon, at 1205 (Departure time), and we were offered a slice of Victoria Sponge. Well, actually, i wasn't offered a slice, i had to ask for a slice after I was asked if I 'wanted anything to eat' despite a few customers previous to me being 'offered' a slice. Why is this not a consistent questions across the cabin? Anyway, the cake was served with a 'spork' and, to my disdain, the sponge was bone dry, and the cream filling was like wax. I decided not to eat anymore.
Thoughts:
Consistency is still lacking across the fleet in customer service and in the in-flight catering. For someone paying 200GBP+ for a 'Flexible Economy' seat in UK Domestic to receive a dry piece of cake that tastes awful, is, rather woeful. It was lunchtime, and I was hungry.
The LHR-BSL-LHR product is very well delivered - i love the new delivery of the meals, and they were actually quite tasty as well.
I have to admit, the whole trip really highlighted by the crew on the BSL-LHR portion - they really made my day, and made me realise how important that BMI don't forget their roots - that they are there to deliver a product to the customer AND get them to their destination. If they can successfully carry out consistent high levels of customer service on flights and commit to catering a high-end product (come on bmi, is it so hard to get some Prosecco or Fizzy Wine on flights?!) then I can see a future for bmi.
---
An afterthought to all of this - I will be travelling EDI-LHR-BEY r/t before Christmas as well in J, so, I can't wait to see if the product on LHR-BEY is consistent as well.
Since BMI stopped flying from Glasgow, I've found myself on CO/US more frequently flying direct to the States, however, the recent Bonus Triple Miles in Business Promotion (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/bmi-diamond-club/1235686-bonus-double-miles-econ-triple-miles-biz-fly-11jul-31aug-11-targetted.html) that was sent to me earlier last month was just too good to miss - the chance to renew BD*Gold status at the fraction of the cost, and, by flying BD in their European Business Class too!
This is more of a 'snapshot' of BD's service and offerings, rather than a fully fledged trip report. All flights were taken over the 12th/13th August.
EDI-LHR (BD61)
I was originally scheduled for BD57, but they asked if anyone would volunteer to come off, and in the process earn 150GBP of e-vouchers with bmi. I gladly accepted. The domestic product has been revamped lately, with the new 'Posh Wraps', but the rest of the offering is pretty much the same. I have to say, the new wraps are delicious - I often enjoy them on AC transatlantic flights - and are a welcome change to the domestic catering in Flexible Economy. I would add that the drinks selection is awful - the white wine I received was lukewarm, and therefore, undrinkable. The cabin crew were quick however to apologise and offered alternatives.
LHR-BSL (BD169)
I was happy to see I had the same cabin crew for the flight as I had from BD61, and they were surprised to see me! We took off, and I was offered a meal of either 4-cheese pasta, or, Mediterranean Chicken with vegetables. Both served with a balsamic salad, and, Panna Cotta. The meal tray arrived on ceramic bowls and plates, with proper stainless steel cutlery, with my drink pre-poured for me in a glass - a much refreshing ,and welcome change from the old foil offerings of the past. I am happy to say my wine this time was chilled and much more flavoursome on the pallet. The flight was rather quick, and I wasn't able to finish my dinner before I was asked if they could take my tray away (I was in seat 4D, and the cabin was quite busy). I'm not sure if anyone else has been in this situation - I'm all for getting to my destination early - but when being served last, as a paid customer in J, and having only had your dinner for 5 minutes before you are told we are starting our descent, it is rather a kick in the teeth.
BSL-LHR BD160
I boarded to find I was the only one in the cabin, and Sam, the cabin supervisor, was more than happy to chat away and make me feel comfortable. She offered to make me a 'bucks fizz', and addressed me by my first name, only after checking this was ok with me first. I then received breakfast (again served in ceramic bowls with proper cutlery and glasses) which was delicious - a white cheese omelette, with some tater tot potatoes, and some tomatoes. I was feeling a bit more peckish, so Sam arranged for a 'Posh Wrap' from Economy to be brought up for me. I was in a chatty mood, and so was Sam, and we got talking about bmi, and their new routes. This is what I love about bmi, and the airline - the cabin crew, when they have the time (although, I admit, that I probably think Sam would give every customer the same level of treatment even with a busy cabin!) take considerable effort to get to know you in the short time they host you. She then offered to make me a 'Bloody Mary' - and by the end of the flight, she was coaxing me to go for a third. Legend!
LHR-EDI BD56
The flight was choc-a-bloc, and we were upgraded to a mid-haul A320 with proper business 2-2 layout (I think G-MIDT). Cabin service was swift and quick due to the full cabin and 55 minute journey up north. The cabin crew were very much just 'getting on with things'. But, here comes the part that really grinded my gears. It was a Saturday afternoon, at 1205 (Departure time), and we were offered a slice of Victoria Sponge. Well, actually, i wasn't offered a slice, i had to ask for a slice after I was asked if I 'wanted anything to eat' despite a few customers previous to me being 'offered' a slice. Why is this not a consistent questions across the cabin? Anyway, the cake was served with a 'spork' and, to my disdain, the sponge was bone dry, and the cream filling was like wax. I decided not to eat anymore.
Thoughts:
Consistency is still lacking across the fleet in customer service and in the in-flight catering. For someone paying 200GBP+ for a 'Flexible Economy' seat in UK Domestic to receive a dry piece of cake that tastes awful, is, rather woeful. It was lunchtime, and I was hungry.
The LHR-BSL-LHR product is very well delivered - i love the new delivery of the meals, and they were actually quite tasty as well.
I have to admit, the whole trip really highlighted by the crew on the BSL-LHR portion - they really made my day, and made me realise how important that BMI don't forget their roots - that they are there to deliver a product to the customer AND get them to their destination. If they can successfully carry out consistent high levels of customer service on flights and commit to catering a high-end product (come on bmi, is it so hard to get some Prosecco or Fizzy Wine on flights?!) then I can see a future for bmi.
---
An afterthought to all of this - I will be travelling EDI-LHR-BEY r/t before Christmas as well in J, so, I can't wait to see if the product on LHR-BEY is consistent as well.