santos From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2007, 704 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 4168 times:
2 weeks ago i was browsing on bmi website and noticed they had an offer for Business Class to NCE for only £159. I thought that was really good value, after checking some dates i was actually able to find a return flight in C for £108, tremendous value, so i had to book it. That entitles use of the Great British Lounge and 'full' miles.
It was an early start, but i made it to LHR at 7am, i soon made my way to the Great British Lounge, it has been reviewed on here many times and i do agree, it's one of the best lounges ever.
After a couple of coffees i made my way to the boarding area:
BD193
LHR 08.50 - NCE 11.45
A319 G-DBCH
I noticed that there wasn't many passengers near the gate, in total i counted 55(as i boarded last), there was 6 of us in business. After seating down i was offered a choice of newspapers and magazines.
I must admit, i really like BD interior
15 minutes after take off, breakfast was served, hot food tasted ok, but pastries were nice and warm, tea and coffee also on offer.
Flight took 1h:30m, it was a smooth ride, had great views of the French Alps and then the Cote D'Azur
After landing, it took seconds to clear immigration and i was in Monaco within 45 minutes.
Some pictures of Monte-Carlo
After a long day walking around Monte-Carlo, i made my way back to NCE.
As i was giving a return boarding pass at LHR, i made my way straight to the departures area, after a quick walk around i made my way to the 'Club Riviera' Lounge, it was a bit basic, but had plenty of drinks and nibbles.
BD196
NCE 21.35 - LHR 22.35
A319 G-DBCI
Once again, flight wasn't very busy, i counted 32 passengers, i was the only one in Business.
Boarding only took a few minutes, after seating down i was offered newspapers and magazines( a welcomed drink would have been nice)
Soon i was asked what i would like to have for dinner- Fish Pie or Butternut Squash Lasagna.
I went for a fish pie. And asked my drink of preference.(This was the only time my was addressed by my name)
Soon after take off my meal arrived
The Fish Pie tasted good actually, plenty of fish on it, and the sour dough bread was nice too(warm)
Tiramisu was the dessert on offer.
After finishing my meal i took a few pictures of the cabin
Flight took 1h:50m as strong head winds as reported by the captain, flight was smooth and landed slightly ahead of schedule.
Crew greeted me again on departure.
Overall i found BD good as usual, great value for money, good reliable service. I really like their product and the Diamond Club is very generous.
I look forward for my next trip with them.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 4103 times:
Hi
BD breakfast doesn't impress me, a bit small quantity. The return flight, evening meal looks substantial enough for this flight. Seating is indeed real classy, love the table made from the middle seatback.
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
nicktt From UK - England, joined Jan 2012, 14 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 4080 times:
Some nice pictures here!
I'm doing the same trip to NCE in a couple of weeks, departing BA Club Europe, returning BD Business, will be interesting to compare! Your pictures of the fresh interior has got my excited to try it, unlike the tired offerings I am going to receive on BA!
The only drawback I can see on BD is the 31" seat pitch...
jamesontheroad From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 518 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 4066 times:
Very jealous; I was seriously considering two EDI-LHR-NCE and return mileage runs (because recent sales have been excellent value - £160 return in Business Class) to retain BD and Star Alliance *G, but I just can't find the time right now. My last flights on BD may have passed.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6082 posts, RR: 56 Reply 4, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 3714 times:
Hi !
Thanks for a nice report with nice pictures.
Breakfast looks nice although not that much food; dinner on the return doesn't look very appealing at all and that's being VERY kind......
At least the fare was good......
I thought BD had separate C class seats without blocking the middle seat ? Perhaps that's only on the 320s/321s ?
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
ZKOJH From China, joined Sep 2004, 1500 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 3675 times:
Nice report, some very interesting pic's, shame about BD going, but then think you can see why with only 32 PAX's on an A319, they all ready tried Nice before and pulled it, so they go back for a second turn silly people at BD!
bwaflyer From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 674 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 3546 times:
Quoting The777Man (Reply 4): I thought BD had separate C class seats without blocking the middle seat ? Perhaps that's only on the 320s/321s ?
Two configurations are operated. A319s and A320s flying short haul routes (under 3 1/2 hours) have a flexible business / economy cabin in line with most European carriers. Some A320s and all A321s are operated on mid haul routes (3 1/2 hours and longer) and these feature a fixed business cabin with 2x2 seating, 40 inch seat pitch and personal IFE.
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 660 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 3395 times:
Thanks for posting!
Quoting santos (Thread starter): 2 weeks ago i was browsing on bmi website and noticed they had an offer for Business Class to NCE for only £159. I thought that was really good value, after checking some dates i was actually able to find a return flight in C for £108, tremendous value, so i had to book it. That entitles use of the Great British Lounge and 'full' miles.
When I first read about this great fare I was already wondering how long it would take for a trip report to be posted
Glad to hear you had a great time. The breakfast seems small, but the dinner on the inbound flight looked good.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24894 posts, RR: 60 Reply 9, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 3366 times:
Quoting santos (Thread starter): 2 weeks ago i was browsing on bmi website and noticed they had an offer for Business Class to NCE for only £159.
Hey glad you took advantage of that offer while you can . Nice route and nice catering . Thats what makes it such a shame BMI will cease in future. Just when they are starting to get it right .
Get the highest level of BMI status with DC while you can so you will be hopefully matched to BA when it closes.
Thanks for the nice report.
OA260
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 3200 times:
Hi Santos. Nice report!
Quoting santos (Thread starter): 2 weeks ago i was browsing on bmi website and noticed they had an offer for Business Class to NCE for only £159. I thought that was really good value, after checking some dates i was actually able to find a return flight in C for £108, tremendous value, so i had to book it. That entitles use of the Great British Lounge and 'full' miles.
I found this fare as well, but after a bit too much dithering it vanished
Quoting santos (Thread starter): (This was the only time my was addressed by my name)
THey don't really have an excuse not to if you're the only pax!
Quoting OA260 (Reply 9): . Just when they are starting to get it right .
Well, it's as great money looser for the company, but nice for the pax! Although it's true, they do seem to alost have a business plan now!
nicktt From UK - England, joined Jan 2012, 14 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 3146 times:
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 10): I found this fare as well, but after a bit too much dithering it vanished
It is still there on the website!
For example, I've just searched LHR-NCE in C for February, return price is £158.29. This is listed under a 'Try Business for Economy' fare; not sure if you'll be able to earn miles from this but I'll give it a go. Also not sure if you are able to grab this deal only to NCE or another destination.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6082 posts, RR: 56 Reply 14, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 2951 times:
Quoting bwaflyer (Reply 6): Two configurations are operated. A319s and A320s flying short haul routes (under 3 1/2 hours) have a flexible business / economy cabin in line with most European carriers. Some A320s and all A321s are operated on mid haul routes (3 1/2 hours and longer) and these feature a fixed business cabin with 2x2 seating, 40 inch seat pitch and personal IFE.
Thanks for the info !
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 15, posted (1 year 3 months 4 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2758 times:
Hi
Nice trip report, thanks for sharing!
I think those BD seats give a warm look to the cabin compared to the LH gray!
I've been in the NCE area last year and enjoyed the scenery as well
signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2948 posts, RR: 7 Reply 16, posted (1 year 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 2685 times:
Hi Santos,
Thanks for the report! The breakfast does look slightly lacking, but given how good the GB Lounge is, I'm sure food would also be good there. It seems you were unlucky on the seat front - the mid haul cabins do look so much nicer and more comfortable! (as I saw when passing it heading to the back!)
Monaco is as stunning as ever.
The return meal looked more substantial.
And all this for a bargain, less even that Easyjet are charging
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10243 posts, RR: 40 Reply 17, posted (1 year 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 2604 times:
Thank you for your trip report! Nice is certainly one of the world's most beautiful airports. Who dreams of taking off and be treated to scenic views of the Cap d'Antibes, Iles de Lerins, Cap Ferrat, Monte Carlo and Menton? And if you are lucky on a clear day you can see the mountains of Corsica if you are on the good side of the aircraft.
I see you came to my territory. I am happy you had a good time visiting the Principality of Monaco, a postage stamp size country with lots to see and do and there are cheap places to eat sometimes with scenic views that most visitors don't know about.
I should do a "Monaco on the cheap" e-book in pdf format and sell it on fleabay. It could make me some good money who knows?
Anyway you gave me an idea for my visit to the Farnborough Air Show. Rather than using Swiss and connecting via Zurich I could just fly direct to LHR with BMI but without the Swiss Chocolates and still cash in air miles. I will have to look and compare and book me fast as the air show dates will book up really fast.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
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I will have to look and compare and book me fast as the air show dates will book up really fast.
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