BMI

Details

In the highly competitive short-haul market, BMI might not stand out particularly well from the crowd, but they do offer a high intensity of competition with their main rival British Airways, especially on domestic shuttle flights to cities such as Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Additionally, BMI are the only operator on a number routes from Heathrow, including on domestic flights to Belfast and Inverness.
BMI started its long haul network in Manchester, and currently operates flights from there to Chicago and Las Vegas in the USA, as well as Antigua, Barbados and St Lucia in the Caribbean. In March 2005, BMI started flights from London Heathrow to India, taking advantage of the Indian governments decision to lift competition restrictions. The difficulty in procuring slots for more long haul operations from Heathrow, and the particular restrictions governing flights between Heathrow and New York, have long been a bone of contention with BMI, who have also been subject to persistent rumours over a possible takeover or merger with Virgin Atlantic. As long as both organisations continue to be led by headstrong chief executives (BMI chief Sir Michael Bishop might not be as well known as Virgins Sir Richard Branson, but he is an equally tough business negotiator), any such merger remains a distant prospect.
Major shareholders of BMI include Star Alliance partner Lufthansa, who have a codesharing agreement with BMI on flights between the UK and Germany.

Airline Profile

**BMI 10% off voucher code**
BMI are offering 10% off all bmi flights booked before midnight 25 November 2010 for travel between 1 January to 31 January 2011.

All you need to do it enter 10BMIFLIGHTDIGITAL in the promotional box when searching for their flight and they will receive 10% off their fare.

Terms and Conditions

The 10% discount is valid on bmi operated flights only and excludes codeshare and bmibaby bookings. Please see our full list of bmi operated routes this discount is applicable on. All bookings must be made before midnight 25 November to qualify. Outbound and inbound travel must have been completed between 1 January to 31 January 2011. The discount applies to the fare only and will not be applied to the applicable taxes or any partner products

BMI are the second largest traditional scheduled airline in the UK. This well-regarded operator can boast one of the longest lineages in the business - the Midland derives from a 1949 takeover, when the company formerly known as Air Schools Limited became Derby Aviation - and business is bmis specialty, as its slogan ( Better for business) and Diamond Club frequent flyer program testify. The bmi we know today came about in 2001, with a rebranding that coincided with the launch of transatlantic services to Chicago, Washington and Las Vegas. Swift expansion followed: after debuting no-frills offshoot bmibaby and a domestic arm (bmi Regional), flights began to former British Airways strangleholds like Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.

The companys well-tailored image does, however, conceal a streak of idiosyncrasy. Though bmi operates flights out of Heathrow - where its become the second largest airline after BA - it has its UK HQ near East Midlands Airport at Castle Donington, sometime home of the Monsters of Rock festival. And former owner (and presiding spirit) Michael Bishop, once chairman of Channel 4, was one of the countrys first openly gay senior executives. Recently acquired by the Lufthansa group, bmi now marries European efficiency to a thoroughly English individualism: its one of the few major airlines to offer its clients the chance to hire their planes - though youll have to be on something akin to a Saudi princes wage to do so.

Quick Facts

Airline Code: BD
Alternative Name: Flybmi, BMI flights
Type: ASC

Your Comments (2)

Paul Smith

08 January 2012 at 22:44 | #

Do you still think it is ok to book flights with bmi, now that they are being taken over by BA?

reply
- James Avery
  
  08 January 2012 at 22:58 | #
  
  Yes, it is absolutely fine to book flights with bmi. The airline is being bought as a going concern, even through the prime interest is in the slots. For the time being, everything is absolutely business as usual. We would expect to see BA continue many of the routes, as they are to niche destinations, where fares are often very high. If routes are axed, the procedure will be exactly the same as any other network airline axing routes - you will be offered an alternative airline, or a connection if no direct route exists.
  
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