BD052 LHR-EDI 28 April 06 and return

Considering BMI is a FC partner there don't seem to be many TRs? Well, having changed my company flying policy (it helps to be a founding partner!) we're now using BMI instead of BA, despite all the comments about the reductions post BMI's move to lower costs.

Yesterday I had to attend a meeting in Edinburgh and took the 0840 from LHR. Travelling in business gains 1 tier point and miles, so that helps. Generally a good experience too, BMI advertise as the most punctual airline operating out of LHR and we rotated at 6 mins past the scheduled time, landed on time (and similar for the return).

I used self check in at T1 and with no bags to drop was through and in to the lounge very quickly, however the fast bag drop queue for economy was anything but as the queue snaked through the departures hall. The BMI lounge is airside near gate 6 of the domestic part of T1, it's large and spacious, has a non-separated smoking area, the usual standard selection of snacks and drinks, a reasonable paper and magazine selection and helpful staff. In other words, not a patch on the Club House but decent enough to hang out for half an hour. The flight was called pretty much as all the economy passengers had boarded and a short walk to gate 8 and quickly into 1A. BMI business seats have the same pitch as economy, though A and C on the LHS have no B seat and that sort of little space between them so much preferable to D to E on the RHS. The plane was a newish A320.

With a short 60 minute flying time it was pretty uneventful, breakfast was offered and I chose the English option, which was plasticky and poorly presented compared to what BA manage - a cardboard box with juice, yoghurt and condiments with a standard economy style hot bowl separately served ... doing it on a tray complete would be much better. The juice was OK though and the crew were fine.

Great views of Edinburgh coming into land and with EDI being a compact airport was out very quickly, like within 5 minutes.

One quick meeting and some papers to sign and I was back on the 057 back to LHR at 1315. Again, decent service, on time departure and arrival, and the food could be better. One particular irk was that I had booked 1A for the return online but when I checked in I had been bumped to 3A ... then on board it was apparent that some BMI staff had taken the first row. Simply not on but although I mentioned this to the purser I didn't make a big deal of it.

BMI have recently been slated by their long standing customers on FlyerTalk and in the recent Business Traveller magazine. I have to say though that having no high expectations I was satisfied with the service. Being punctual helps, doing it with some business comfort is better too, but there's no flair associated. I do wish though that they hadn't ditched so many business routes!