But haven't you ever wanted to be in a Bond movie?? ;)

:D Yeah but not if it involves being on a plane thats radiated:)

I'd put up with all that radiation if I could be in the latest bond movie (which is excellent btw) and meet Eva Green :p

Moscow is Longhaul (according to the taxman)
 

"UK Air Passenger Duty tax increases
Following the recent UK Government announcement regarding the doubling of UK APD tax (GB tax), please be advised that this increase must be applied with immediate effect to all new bookings made for travel on/after 01 February 2007.

The GB tax levels to be applied are as follows;

For bmi UK domestic and shorthaul flights in economy GBP10.00
For bmi UK domestic and shorthaul flights in business GBP20.00

For bmi longhaul flights inc. flights to Moscow in economy GBP40.00
For bmi longhaul flights in premium economy GBP80.00
For bmi longhaul flights inc. flights to Moscow in the business GBP80.00 "

Technically they don't charge less for shorthaul, but to certain EU destinations (European Economic Area (EEA): members), dependant territories of EU member states as well as some flights geographically in Europe.
Longhaul is actually refered to as "other destinations".

Also worth noting, "APD is not payable on flights departing from airports in the Scottish Highlands and Islands."
HMRC

That news is a shame though, I was hoping it would only be effective after the budget speech.

BTW, I now note this part of that press release "For all itineraries that have been ticketed using the old rates for travel after 01 February 2007, bmi will communicate its policy at a later stage." So don't think the rest of you don't have to worry!

flew back to DME yesterday after the holidays. Only 10 in J - a bit of a surprise given it was the last day of the long Russian new year hols - Y was pretty full though.

Anyway, was looking forward to seeing the new choice of DVDs - except the 'Oct-Dec' ones are still being given out - except without the laminated guide (which they are not handing out as it says 'October-December!). Asked one of the crew - she told me they were hoping no-one would notice, but she had no idea if/when the choices would be changed. A bit odd.

Still the usual good service though.

Do the gold vouchers work LHR-DME to upgrade from Y to C? I have quite a few of them and can think of only this route where they might be of some value...

I found out what the Moscow plane does when it get backs from Russia. On Sunday I was on BD113 from LHR to AMS. I was travelling on a cheap (non tiny) fare and at online check in and at the fast bad drop the furthest forward they could get me was row 9.

As soon as I got onto the plane I realised that it was the Moscow A320. I asked the cabin crew how people got allocated a seat in the front cabin since this was a 1 cabin service. As a BD*G I’d been allocated 9D (in the Y cabin). They said didn’t know and asked me to take my seat while they checked. A few minutes later the cabin supervisor asked me if I’d mind moving and took me to a seat in row 4. The seat was very comfortable and the pitch was great, all in all a very comfortable LHR – AMS run.

The thing is unless I’d asked my BD*G status wouldn’t have counted for anything when it came to seat allocation.

yes- they work LHR-DME-LHR, although at DME it can take some time for the Transaero agents to call someone to find out how to process them!

What about if you end up connecting through London Theifrow?

APD is only ever payable on the first UK departure of a ticket. So even a LHR-MAN-EDI-INV-SYY trip would incur only one charge.

Just to further shore up ajamison's post,
HMRC, http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...HMCE_CL_000505

half expected to see tumbleweed blowing down the aisle on yesterdays flight to DME, such were the lack of passengers. 4 in C and about 15 in Y. There are now 8 daily flights from LHR to MOW on BA, SU, BD and UN - too many for this time of year maybe - especially with the recent ticket hike to the tax rise (MOW is counted as long haul for airport tax purposes).

Regarding APD :

As we all know the recent doubling of the tax was "justified" on the grounds that it was necessary to combat global warming :rolleyes: I am wondering why my flight from Aberdeen to Heathrow falls into this category whereas my flight from Inverness to Heathrow does not. Is there some magic about the exhaust emissions of aircraft fuelled at Inverness that makes them different to others ? Or are there a lot of marginal Labour/SNP seats up there (AJ can advise :) )

Regarding BMI Heathrow - Moscow :

The style of service and the geographical area is much closer to BMed's operations than to current BMI Mainline at Heathrow. As it seems likely BMI Group will maintain a separate name, Air Operators Certificate, etc (if only to avoid the myriad difficulties when thse are merged), like they do with Baby, it is likely that the Moscow service will be transferred from BMI to BMed sometime after the merger is completed.

as long as they still allow Gold upgrade vouchers...........