BMIFlyer From UK - England, joined Feb 2004, 8810 posts, RR: 62 Posted (8 years 1 month 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 5207 times:
Outward Leg:-
Date: Sun 10th April 2005
Departure Apt: MAN
Arrival Apt: LHR
Aircraft: Airbus A321 (G-MIDM)
Flight No: BD585
After my rude awakening by the alarm clock at 03:45, I readied myself for a trip to LHR for another A.Net Meet!
I boarded the train at 04:30 to MAN from my current home town of York. We arrived on-time into MAN at 06:37. I made my way thru the 'tube' that links "The Station" with MAN's terminals. This early in the morning the tube glowed with striking blue lighting. Arriving into T3, I approached the bmi check-in area and made a dash for the self-service check in machines.
Check-in using this method was well easy, I simply inserted my FF Card, then typed in my outbound flight number on the screen. My full booking was displayed, and I confirmed the details shown. I then picked my seats from the seatmap and printed my boarding passes for both the outward and return flights. Took me all of 5 mins.
I passed thru the BA check-in area to get to the entrance to security. I flashed my boarding card and the man on the desk attatched a barcoded label. I quickly passed thru security, completing all the formalities in under 5 minutes. After this, I made my way thru to the food court in the T3 departure lounge.
As I had not eaten yet, I decided to grab breakfast from the cafe. I chose a 'full English' and a pot of tea. When It came to paying I was astonished to be quoted a whopping £8.35
After brekkie I made my way to Gate 18 to see my aircraft waiting for me. It was a bmi Airbus A321 G-MIDM, in 'bmi interim' livery.
Boarding commenced at around 08:20, and I was soon taking my seat - 6F - on the aircraft. This aircraft had the usual bmi interior scheme of blue seats with light blue headrest covers in Economy, with Yellow covers in Biz. Once boarding was complete the Cabin Service Supervisor did the usual announcements and then the safety video was played. Not long after this, the aircraft was pushed back and we taxied to our departure runway 24L.
Take-off was almost immediate and didn't take long either. On climb out we turned right, towards Liverpool then after a few mins finally turned left towards Birmingham and London. Breakfast service commenced shortly afterwards, consisting of Hot or cold drinks plus a 'toastie'. I had the Egg and Cheese toastie which I found very tasty.
The Captain talked to us over the PA later on and told us our arrival would be 'delayed' as we would need to 'hold' above London. I looked out of the window while we were in the hold and at one point counted 6 aircraft near us. The aircraft that would be landing before us was a BA 747-436.
Our landing soon followed and we arrived at the gate 'on time' (we would have been early had it not been for us holding). Disembarkation soon followed and I went to meet the fellow A.Net gang in Arrivals. Next it was off to the meet which was fantastic if I may say so, a full report of which can be found in this thread LHR Meet 10th April - The Aftermath! (by Capital146 Apr 11 2005 in Non Aviation)
Return Leg:-
Date: Sun 10th April 2005
Departure Apt: LHR
Arrival Apt: MAN
Aircraft: Airbus A321 (G-MIDK)
Flight No: BD594
After arriving at LHR, those of us who were catching flights 'up north' made our way into T1 and thru security. Within about 10 mins we were in departures waiting for our respective flights home. Our aircraft tonight was to be an A321 again, this time G-MIDK.
Boarding commenced on time, and I was one of the last to board, having dashed to the toilet in the terminal as I had a 'full tank' of beer to get rid of
Anyway, tonight I took my seat - 9A - which was an exit row seat, so lots of legroom. The flight tonight wasn't full, so I had nearly a full row to myself which was good. After the safety video etc, we headed for our departure runway - 27R. Takeoff soon commenced and the climb gave us a few twists and turns in the process. The Captain spoke over the PA to inform us we were currently passing over Welwyn Garden City (sort of in the wrong direction for MAN but never mind). The flight was pretty smooth and the in flight service soon commenced.
As the FA's passed thru the cabin, I was handed a sandwich and drink, which unfortunately was a cold drink. The FA explained that hot drinks aren't served on evening flights, something I found quite strange but anyway....
Our descent into MAN soon commenced, and we landed on 24R with a quick taxi to the gate (can't remember which one). Deplaning was quick and within 10 mins I was in the fresh air walking to the station with Myt332. I soon boarded a train home, to arrive at my house at about 1am the next morning!
Thoughts:
The trip was pleasant, with the crews on both flights friendly and polite.
The Self-service check-in works a treat.
Interior of both the aircraft was very smart, no torn fabric to be seen.
As per usual, bmi fulfilled my expectations in providing great on board service.
One thing I found strange however was that at no point on my trip was I asked to show a form of ID, I mean, lets face it, I could have been 'anybody'....
N754AN From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 month 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 5154 times:
Super report Lee!
Pity you didn't get G-MIDE on any of your flights as I did 3 weeks previous..!
Quoting BMIFlyer (Thread starter): As I had not eaten yet, I decided to grab breakfast from the cafe. I chose a 'full English' and a pot of tea. When It came to paying I was astonished to be quoted a whopping £8.35
Mhodgson From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2002, 5047 posts, RR: 29 Reply 5, posted (8 years 1 month 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 4596 times:
you would pass over Welwyn - you take a WELIN (Welwyn ) departure form LHR and then route to WOBUN, and onto HON - the standard route for MAN-LHR.
Quote:
One thing I found strange however was that at no point on my trip was I asked to show a form of ID, I mean, lets face it, I could have been 'anybody'....
I got the same when I flew BD last month - I think they assume that as you use theID specified when you made the booking (you select what card you wish to use to identify yourself), you are you!
No trees were harmed by this message. However, several million electrons were terribly inconvenienced
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From UK - England, joined Feb 2004, 8810 posts, 
G-MIDM, in 'bmi interim' livery. 
From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 122 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
to bad you had to leave the pub so "early" lol
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