Economy Class & Beyond

IAG to merge BMI in upon completion of takeover

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From the IAG Traffic Stats document, it seems the British Airways pilots have voted to integrate BMI  Mainline (A319/A320/A321/A330) into the British Airways arm after the merger is approved IAG plans to integrate bmi mainline into British Airways, subject to receiving regulatory approval for the acquisition. This follows agreement by British Airways’ pilots to make … [Read more...]

BMI Futures Week – Things to think about…

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Well I was going to write about the Virgin threat, but lets be frank - It isn't creditable unless they manage to throw a big spanner with the EC/Monopolies Commission. So let me wrap up this discussion for a bit - until it all goes pear shaped (which knowing BMI - is entirely likely) Status - If you've got to a certain point, hang on tight. If you're short before say April, … [Read more...]

BMI Futures Week: What about the Baby? (The BMI Baby that is)

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There's been am Elephant in the Room in the sale of British Midland Airways to Interational Consolidated Airlines Group, and it's been BMI Baby. The Low Cost Carrier (operating a fleet of 737-300/500 aircraft, based out of various UK airports) has been a questionmark in the sale of the sale - with IAG getting a discount from Lufthansa if they failed to sell the unit … [Read more...]

BMI Futures Week: It’s confirmed – NO Miles and More Status Match

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Those of you who were hoping to match to Miles and More from BMI Diamond Club - some very bad news for you (and if truth be told, I've sort of known this after chatting to a few people last week). From http://forum.airliners.de/index.php?showtopic=44637&view=findpost&p=607297 and translated by Google: The sale of bmi IAG (the parent company of BA) - shall be … [Read more...]

BMI Futures Week – Should I re-qualify for BD*G/BD*S?

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Well the clue of the post is in the title - Should you be aiming to re-qualify for Gold or Silver? Well the short answer is Yes. Because when BMI finally goes, it's pretty much a given status will be matched by the overtaking airline - be it IAG's British Airways or Virgin Atlantic. Based on the current timetables, here's my thoughts on when if to go for the full … [Read more...]

BMI Futures Week. Next steps….

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As most of you sadly know, I am an ardent supporters of BMI and their Diamond Club programme. Heck, I've even flown with BMI. So yes, it is an airline and not just a frequent flyers programme that we all dump miles into ;) However, as the Bob Dylan song goes, The Times, They Are A Changing... For this week, I'll be talking about a few different things such as: Should … [Read more...]

BMI’s Prock-Schauer rallys to the troops ahead of the sale…

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As we are all aware (or if you've been living under a rock), British Midland Ltd - comprising of British Midland International, BMI Baby and BMI Regional is on the block to be sold by Lufthansa to International Consolidated Airlines Group (owners of British Airways and Iberia) with Virgin Atlantic making grumbling noises in the background. Well a post on the FlyerTalk BMI … [Read more...]

A Brave New World…

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Well it's been coming for some time as I've been dancing around OneWorld with and Qantas their Paper Status (thanks to that wonderful British Airways Ashes Fare a couple of years ago). With a pathetic 6000 miles or so in my Qantas account, I'll keep that alive with the odd Aer Lingus flight (or dread the thought - pay and top up the account for something actually … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – British Midland International A319

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It's Christmas Day, and a Merry Christmas to all. It's Sunday still, so it's time for some airplane art. This week, it's a present International Consolidated Airlines Group brought for it self from Lufthansa - British Midland Airways Limited.. and with that, a BMI Airbus A319 taxing at George Best International Airport More airplane art over the week as it's Christmas … [Read more...]

BMI to leave Star Alliance upon sale completion

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Looking through the slide deck from the IAG  have published on their investors relations site, it is now confirmed that BMI's membership of Star Alliance will terminate upon completion of the purchase of BMI by IAG. The transaction is due to be completed by 31st March 2012, subject to regulatory approvals. The slide deck also reveals a few more features: BA will be … [Read more...]