BMI from Manchester

[Sue F UK]

After our disappointment with Flyblu we have done a quick rekkie of the usual websites (Airline network, expedia etc.) and it seems that our best option is to fly with BMI through Chicago and then on to Orlando with United Airlines.

Has anyone flown with BMI on this route? The usual questions: what is the food/legroom/entertainment like?

 

[wayneg]

Hi Sue
Not done the Chicago route (doing that this Oct) but last Oct used BMI thru Washington then AA to MCO. Probably the best transatlatic flights ever taken. Used BA, AA, Virgin, US, Airtours (urgh) european(travel city direct) continental (again this Xmas) and probably others not coming to mind.
Their inflight entertainment was v good, latest films(last Oct) included Finding Nemo & Bruce almighty, Italian Job. plus loads more.
loads of games (think it was Nintendo)
Choice of 2 cameras on outside of plane 1 going forward, 1 facing down to ground.
Never short of drinks being offered.
Friendly staff.
Legroom was OK but being 20 stone and 6 foot I always want more in this department.
Food was good as far as airline food goes (see http://www.airlinemeals.net/ you might find pics if you search)
Would have used them again this Oct if price had have been better but Using AA for total journey thru Chicago. BMI wanted £500 each AA cost me £295 each.
Hope this helps
Wayne

 

[WILDCATS]

Flew this route for the last two years at Christmas. There is nothing about BMI I can fault, food, films, kids games, all drinks included, the seat pitch in cattle class (economy) is 31" I think.
Interesting to hear your comment about flyblu we had put our names down for this Christmas to fly with them and never heard anything from them so we got a good price from American Airlines to fly from Manchester-Chicago-Orlando so booked that instead received the e-ticket last week.

PS, Do you know your return times from Orlando back to Chicago ?we mist our return BMI flight in January as we were delayed out of Orlando, All hotel rooms full so we spent night in airport would advise at least two hours hanging around in Chicago to make sure.

Hope this helps

 

[Rain]

Agree with other two posters, best airline we have flown on!

 

[Sue F UK]

Do you know your return times from Orlando back to Chicago ?we mist our return BMI flight in January as we were delayed out of Orlando

We arrive Chicago 17.10 and depart for Manchester 18.25 which gives us an hour and 20 minutes to transfer gates. Hopefully this should be enough ? ?

 

[Rain]

Sounds like you are really pushing it on those transfer times, I think you should allow at least 2 hours in Chicago! MHO

Lynda

 

[wayneg]

If you leave Manchester on time and all goes well with the flight you should be OK(they tend to over estimate times slightly) but try to make sure you get to immigration ASAP and all your paperwork is correct last year in Washington some more flights came in before us and took 20-30 thru immigration. We have the same prob at Xmas changing in New York only 90 mins from landing to departing. Fingers crossed.
Wayne

 

[WILDCATS]

Hi Sue
Agree what’s been said with your transfer times you could be pushing it .It’s ok the agent saying you have plenty of time you will be ok but they aren’t the ones out there; What I would do is go to the airport early and see if you can get on standby for an earlier flight from Orlando to Chicago I think its better to arrive early for your connecting flight than arrive late and miss it there are no more BMI flights from Chicago until the next day.

 

[amf]

I agree with what others have said.

We too flew bmi to Washington (IAD) and onwards to MCO with United (bmi codeshare). We were upgraded to New Economy (38" seat pitch, versus 32" in steerage) as I have upgrade vouchers. Entertainment system and food excellent.

On our return flight we had about 1.5 hours to change flights at IAD. As it happened that was a dawdle, as the arrival and departure gates are in the same terminal. At Chicago I believe that you will have to change terminals (T1 to T5?), although that shouldn't take too long. This will be a legitimate connection as they would not have ticketed you if the minimum connection time was not met. Hope all goes well - I'm sure that you'll be well impressed with bmi