- New Non-Stop Service to Washington, D.C., Launches May 12 -

NEW YORK, May 12 // -- bmi british midland launches its first
U.S. transatlantic flight from Washington Dulles International Airport
Saturday, May 12 at 5:50 p.m. following a ribbon cutting ceremony and
reception with COO James Hogan and Vice President-Americas, Rohan Alce. The
flight is the first direct route from the nation's capital to Manchester.
Daily nonstop service from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to
Manchester will be launched June 8. The new routes will mean more options for
transatlantic travelers by providing the first new carrier to offer direct
flights from the nation's capital to Manchester and the first U.K. carrier to
offer competition from O'Hare.
The flights, which will be operated by bmi british midland's brand new
Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured for three classes of service, begin on
May 12 from Washington and June 8 from Chicago. The flights, which will be
operated by bmi british midland's brand new Airbus A330-200 aircraft
configured for three classes of service, begin on May 12 from Washington and
June 8 from Chicago. Codeshare services with bmi british midland's Star
Alliance partner, United Airlines (NYSE: UAL), will include the transatlantic
bmi british midland operated flights, as well as the 29 codeshare cities
operated by United. United will also provide ground handling and line
maintenance support at its Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles hubs.
"This announcement marks nothing less than the beginning of a new era in
transatlantic air travel," said Rohan Alce, bmi british midland's Vice
President-Americas. "With the introduction of these new flights from Chicago
and Washington, D.C., business travelers in the U.S. will benefit from bmi
british midland's unique service to Manchester and points beyond."
bmi british midland's customers can take advantage of the airline's
innovative onboard product offerings, with business class providing first
class-style service, an enhanced economy product featuring a separate,
dedicated cabin primarily for business travelers who want to travel in
economy, and the latest state-of-the-art in-seat entertainment systems
throughout.
The Washington flights will be scheduled each day except Tuesday departing
Dulles at 5:50 p.m. to arrive in Manchester at 5:55 a.m. the following day and
departing Manchester at 12:40 p.m. to arrive at Dulles at 3:45 p.m. that
afternoon. The daily Chicago flights depart O'Hare at 9:20 p.m. to arrive in
Manchester at 11 a.m. the following day and depart Manchester at 3:25 p.m. to
arrive at O'Hare at 5:55 p.m. that afternoon.

bmi british midland currently operates flights to 31 European destinations
and beginning in May will fly transatlantic to both Washington, D.C., and
Chicago. bmi british midland currently carries over six million passengers
per year and is London Heathrow's second largest UK operator.

United Airlines serves more of the world's business centers than any other
airline. It operates more than 2,300 departures each day on a route network
that spans the globe. For more information about United, visit
http://www.united.com.
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Michael SFO