It's happened - the BMI LONG haul changes...

[preiffer]

Doomed...

It's finally happened: Official BMI release here

"From November, economy customers travelling on our long haul services will have the opportunity to purchase from an updated range of savoury and sweet snacks in-flight. The updated selection will be featured in the voyager onboard shopping guide and the snacks will be available to purchase from the crew in between meal services.

We will also be introducing a paid for alcoholic bar service in the economy cabin from the 3rd of January. Soft drinks will continue to be free of charge and the premium economy and business cabin will retain a fully complimentary service of soft and alcoholic drinks."

As you can imagine, those on ft are not amused.

A great quote from bmi: This change will give us a greater differentiation between the premium economy and economy cabins.

A better one from ft: Oh, we need to differentiate economy and premium economy - how shall we do that? I know, let's make economy worse!

[Nottingham Nick]

I'm off to the FT BMI page to watch the steam rising [}:)][}:)]

Not good news, though. Where one goes, others often follow. [:(]

The press release is really awful, though [:(!]. Mixed tenses and spelling errors.

No wonder the BMI FTers thought it was a joke!!

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

Not good news, though. Where one goes, others often follow. [:(]

Like all those US Carriers in chapter 11 that until now have still maintained a full service on long haul flights.

[mitchja]

Bye Bye BMI Gold Diamond Club card. I think I'll flush it down the toilet just like BMI have done with it's airline

Regards

Hmmmm,,,

Those morons within VA who are making the changes to the services, can you see them, sitting at their desks tomorrow morning, "hey look guys, this is a fantastic enhancement to PE that BMi are doing...."

well alan. if you had to buy drinks in PE on VS, I for one would see it as an enhancement
- at least you could get a drink over and above the slipper of bubbly and 2 thimbles of plonk I have always been offered thus far on 12 hour flghts to pvg. ranting off!

looks on the face of it a pretty poor show by BMI, unless of course the are also cutting their prices - oh! silly me - no they are not doing that. What does BMI stand for anyway - Blumming Miserly Inflight?
99

Good thing bmi haven't dropped out of Star Alliance yet - i'm hoping to use my bmi miles on a SQ redemption. Once I do that, I can't see my Diamond Club account seeing much action.

Have zero status miles and it's going to stay that way I think - what's the point of retaining Silver once it no longer gives lounge access on the cheap economy tickets?

[RichardMannion]

I heard whispers that BMI want out of Star Alliance and will drop Diamond Club. Thinking about it I can see pro's and cons of both to be honest.

Thanks,
Richard

I can see what you are saying Richard. I guess its just a case of which business model BmI are heading for - full service or no frills or a hybrid.

As a customer it still makes one concerned about selecting them as your loyalty choice though. I find myself wondering if its a good time to contact another *A and see if they will status match. I fly TAP in a couple of weeks, and their routes look pretty good for my travel over the next year or so.
99

BMI arent the first scheduled airline to charge for booze dont Air Canada too?

There is still a free meal service I assume?

Originally posted by mitchja
Bye Bye BMI Gold Diamond Club card. I think I'll flush it down the toilet just like BMI have done with it's airline

Same here. I think I've only flown BD twice since I got status matched, was actually considering them for a longhaul trip - but the changes to both business models aren't exactly enticing me to give them a try...

For my usual domestic route to LBA, I might as well fly Air SouthWest from BRS and pay a truly cheap fare - rather than having the extortionate PSC & taxes added on for flying from LHR for no real added benefits.

Cheers

Michael

Originally posted by RichardMannion
I heard whispers that BMI want out of Star Alliance and will drop Diamond Club. Thinking about it I can see pro's and cons of both to be honest.

Thanks,
Richard

Dropping out of *A would seem sensible - espscially if they want to exapand long haul service out of LHR, because most major LHR routes are already covered by another Star Alliance airline - one of the few major direct flights left untapped by *A is LHR-HKG (ISTBC!)

Back to the food/drink bit, its the spin that annoys me about all of this - I remember when Continental started charging it was because research showed that people wanted a better salad with their meal than free drinks (!!) - needless to say the improved salads (apparently) never transpired, but pay for drinks did...

Apart from the price, this will also mean a much, much slower service in Y class, as passengers have to find loose change to get their drinks.

Living north of London, and not flying to India means BMI has never been on my radar for longhaul - good job - as I'd go out of my way to avoid them I think now....

This is interesting, and a very brave (stupid) move for BMI. I can't imagine Virgin going down the same road to be honest. I can't say I have been supportive of recent cost cuts but I just cannot forsee this one. The only exception would be if BA did the same.

Sailor 99 ( I just looked at your profile you really are a sailor wow ) If you are ever on one of my flights I will make certain you have more than a thimble of champagne or plonk. If I can't drink I make sure everyone else can

Originally posted by Jonathan
BMI arent the first scheduled airline to charge for booze dont Air Canada too?

There is still a free meal service I assume?

As I discovered when I travelled Delta last year. The year before the bar was free, last year it was chargable [V]

It amazes me how BMI like to ruin anything decent on their airline!

I flew to ORD with them this year in premium and was quite a nice expirence, having to pay for drinks long haul is taking the p***. i know it economy only but still its like kicking a man when he is down...

[preiffer]

The Scotsman now has a report on the issue.

(Obvious link between FT and that particular publication... )

Well TAP have matched my BMI status, so that's me off. I guess I will be splitting my time between VS and TAP as No.2 choice now.

99

Originally posted by southernbelle
This is interesting, and a very brave (stupid) move for BMI. I can't imagine Virgin going down the same road to be honest. I can't say I have been supportive of recent cost cuts but I just cannot forsee this one. The only exception would be if BA did the same.

What exactly are the cost cuts? (don't worry - that's a rhetorical question really.

Sailor 99 ( I just looked at your profile you really are a sailor wow ) If you are ever on one of my flights I will make certain you have more than a thimble of champagne or plonk. If I can't drink I make sure everyone else can

Hey, what can I say? Other than about 6'4, Greying hair, usually wearing something with Clipper Ventures embrodered on it, and its a large red wine (or six) please!

99