BMI upgrades

[Young Pooh]

I am in the initial stages of planning for August 2009 and always fly with VA due to Flying Club. We tend to fly PE and wondered what BMI offer in the way of upgrades from economy as I am also considering them for at least one way.

We would be flying from Manchester so would be looking at the Chicago(?) flight and then a connection to MCO. Anyone done this in anything other than economy?

I know Wayneg has good things to say about BMI but think he has only flown economy.

Am I also right in thinking we can also earn VA points through BMI?

 

[Revtel]

I am in the initial stages of planning for August 2009 and always fly with VA due to Flying Club. We tend to fly PE and wondered what BMI offer in the way of upgrades from economy as I am also considering them for at least one way.

We would be flying from Manchester so would be looking at the Chicago(?) flight and then a connection to MCO. Anyone done this in anything other than economy?

I know Wayneg has good things to say about BMI but think he has only flown economy.

Am I also right in thinking we can also earn VA points through BMI?

We flew that route with them last year in economy. Had to walk through the PE section and was truly amazed at the space. Reminded me of BA Club class.

We've now booked to fly PE in November, and managed to get flights for just £450 each return to Chicago. As we'll be stopping over, we will be booking the internal flight separately.

For me, BMI are really to notch for comfort, even in economy. The PE has a seat pitch of 49 inches, and the service looks to be superb. I'll let you know more after November!

 

[steve_rob]

While I haven't done the BMI flight from Manchester to Chicago, but I have taken their flight from Chicago to Orlando, which is actually a United Airlines code-share.

United do have a section they call Economy Plus, which offers about five-six inches more legroom, but you are still in the main economy section (not a separate cabin like Virgin's PE), and get the same meals, movies etc. as everyone else in economy as well.

However, you can't book it in advance (to my knowledge). Basically they offer it to people who have earned a certain amount of miles with them as a perk but if these people don't claim all the seats by the day of the flight, then they will offer you the chance to you upgrade to it at check-in for a small fee - I managed to get one for $60/£30 on a transatlantic leg once and it was well worth it.

 

[kristieuk]

I know DH flew in Premium Economy Manchester to Chicago last year with BMI and was very impressed. He hated BA World Traveller Plus, and kept moaning that BMI was far better. We have flown Club with BA, he says that BMI PE was closer to BA Club than to BA PE. Hope this helps a little