MikeyT Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Hello good people. Okay, it's been a long time since I've been on a plane, around 14 years actually, for the simple fact that flying scares the crap out of me. Actually, to be more specific, it's the crashing and dying part that scares me. But never been a fan of heights. Anyhoo, I am contemplating for my birthday in April to go away to Paris for a few days and was wondering if anyone here and travelled with BMIBaby and what they're like? I'm on a tight budget and they seem very reasonable with their prices judging from a bit of research I did on their website. So If anyone has travelled with them what are your thoughts? Cheers. MikeyT
Vardinhio Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 yeh they are pretty good, around 80% success rate, have only had to use the emergency slide once but in all honesty it just added to the experience.
MPH Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Hello good people. Okay, it's been a long time since I've been on a plane, around 14 years actually, for the simple fact that flying scares the crap out of me. Actually, to be more specific, it's the crashing and dying part that scares me. But never been a fan of heights. Anyhoo, I am contemplating for my birthday in April to go away to Paris for a few days and was wondering if anyone here and travelled with BMIBaby and what they're like? I'm on a tight budget and they seem very reasonable with their prices judging from a bit of research I did on their website. So If anyone has travelled with them what are your thoughts? Cheers. MikeyT Never flown with them but check for extras, as i would expect with any budget airline.. Baggage fees, ect.... i got stung by an airline once for that...
MikeyT Posted 22 December 2011 Author Posted 22 December 2011 yeh they are pretty good, around 80% success rate, have only had to use the emergency slide once but in all honesty it just added to the experience. Hardy ha ha. Never flown with them but check for extras, as i would expect with any budget airline.. Baggage fees, ect.... i got stung by an airline once for that... Cool, cheers for the info mate.
21st Century Fox Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 BMI's just been bought by British Airways.... not relevant at all really.
James. Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Does it really matter what they're like? What possible information could anyone on here give you that would help you make your mind up? Just go for the cheapest, you'll be on the flight for less than 90 minutes. For that sort of trip I'd even stoop as low as the Absolute Cvnts of Ryanair if they offered me the cheapest fare.
MPH Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Does it really matter what they're like? What possible information could anyone on here give you that would help you make your mind up? Just go for the cheapest, you'll be on the flight for less than 90 minutes. For that sort of trip I'd even stoop as low as the Absolute Cvnts of Ryanair if they offered me the cheapest fare. but thats the point... soem may LOOK the cheapest but have hidden charges for luggage and end up NOT being the cheapest..... bmi baby baggage fees A Baggage Fee is charged for the carriage of checked baggage. The standard baggage weight allowance is 22kg per person per one way flight (for bookings after 5th January 2011). Please refer to your booking confirmation or ‘Manage my booking’ online to confirm the baggage allowance weight you have purchased. Baby buggies (subject to an infant/child under 5 years of age travelling), wheelchairs, scooters and walking frames are carried free of charge. The baggage fee varies dependent on the weight allowance purchased and the destination. This may be prepaid at the current discounted internet rate. Rates start at £13.99/€17.00 per 22kg standard baggage weight allowance per one way flight and £9.00/€11.00 per each additional kg when making your reservation online. If you wish to increase your baggage weight allowance at a later date you can do this via the ‘manage your bookings’ section of the website, the call centre or when you arrive at the airport. Please note a £20.00/€20.00 charge per 22kg standard weight allowance and £9.00/€11.00 per each additional kg will apply per one way flight for any weight allowance added on-line or by the call centre. http://www.bmibaby.com/bmibaby/faqs/baggage/baggage_rules.aspx
Alexikokopops Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Does it really matter what they're like? What possible information could anyone on here give you that would help you make your mind up? Just go for the cheapest, you'll be on the flight for less than 90 minutes. For that sort of trip I'd even stoop as low as the Absolute Cvnts of Ryanair if they offered me the cheapest fare. If you haven't flown for 14 years you probably don't realise that there's not that much difference between all the cheap ones :rolleyes: Anyway, this might help to minimise the hidden costs. It might also be worth having a look at Eurostar. The ticket might be a bit more (and you've got to get down to London to board it) but you won't get stung with the extras. Plus it's more comfortable.
MikeyT Posted 22 December 2011 Author Posted 22 December 2011 If you haven't flown for 14 years you probably don't realise that there's not that much difference between all the cheap ones :rolleyes: Anyway, this might help to minimise the hidden costs. It might also be worth having a look at Eurostar. The ticket might be a bit more (and you've got to get down to London to board it) but you won't get stung with the extras. Plus it's more comfortable. Cheers for all the info will definitely have a look on that site you've linked. Appreciate it. but thats the point... soem may LOOK the cheapest but have hidden charges for luggage and end up NOT being the cheapest..... bmi baby baggage fees http://www.bmibaby.c...gage_rules.aspx Ta very much! Does it really matter what they're like? What possible information could anyone on here give you that would help you make your mind up? Just go for the cheapest, you'll be on the flight for less than 90 minutes. For that sort of trip I'd even stoop as low as the Absolute Cvnts of Ryanair if they offered me the cheapest fare. Someone's a grumpy sod!
James. Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 but thats the point... soem may LOOK the cheapest but have hidden charges for luggage and end up NOT being the cheapest..... If you haven't flown for 14 years you probably don't realise that there's not that much difference between all the cheap ones :rolleyes: Alright ladies. I was being slightly facetious because I'm bored at work. The "hidden" extras aren't really hidden, they're quite clear as you progress through the booking process. They're annoying, and in the case of Ryanair they make me want to start punching faces but they're still pretty evident before you actually pay for the flight. MikeyT - my honest advice is BMI Baby will more than likely be by far the cheapest and quickest option, certainly if you want to travel from East Midlands. If you're only going for a few days consider not taking hold luggage so you save any baggage charges. You can fit a hell of a lot in a bag that's suitable to take on board with you. And lastly don't worry about the actual flight, chances are you won't die.
Alexikokopops Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 but thats the point... soem may LOOK the cheapest but have hidden charges for luggage and end up NOT being the cheapest..... bmi baby baggage fees http://www.bmibaby.c...gage_rules.aspx I think James was probably talking about total cost, not just the cost of the fare. You can check it all before you confirm to buy. Anyway, if Mikey's only going away for a long weekend or something (I don't know if he is) then he could get away with a large handluggage bag and avoid those fees. Mikey, also be aware that some airlines charge a fee depending on what card you use. If you look at the link I put in my previous post I think it breaks down all the charges airlines add. Just make sure you're comparing the total price when you're comparing price. For a journey as short as Paris there's going to be no different comfort wise between the budget airlines.. Also, if the airline offers insurance, it's largely stuff that is covered with normal travel insurance (but with lower limits). Also, some other things to think about: Cheap travel insurance Cheap Travel Money
Alexikokopops Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Also, if the airline offers insurance, it's largely stuff that is covered with normal travel insurance (but with lower limits). Also, some other things to think about: Cheap travel insurance Cheap Travel Money Just to clarify, when I was talking about insurance, I meant the kind of things they have with Ryanair which protects you against cancellations and stuff. That's usually all covered in normal travel insurance so there's no need to buy the stuff through Ryanair as well (it's usually a couple of quid each way). I can't remember if the other airlines do it too.
James. Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Alex would you get travel insurance for a short trip like that? I never bother if it's just Europe for a few days.
Guest Bilo Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 I'd rather fly Air Koryo than Ryanair, awful airline. BMI Baby by all accounts are a decent airline, a cut above most of the budget airlines. Mind you, have you checked BA's website? They do sometimes have some good offers on there for the whole package that work out to be better value than going for a budget airline because all of the taxes and charges etc are already factored in. There again, if flying per se bothers you that much check out Eurostar. You can be in Paris with only one stop from Leicester which is about as hassle-free as it gets in my view.
Alexikokopops Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Alex would you get travel insurance for a short trip like that? I never bother if it's just Europe for a few days. I get free travel insurance through my bank (bless you Nationwide) so I have no need. Something for Mikey to think about though! I'd have put you down as an annual insurance policy man. I used to have one of those before my bank popped along because go away more than a couple of times a year and it's paid for itself.
James. Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 I'll probably get an annual policy next time I go away. Don't have one at the minute as the last proper trips I went on (excluding weekends away and whatnot) were India which work paid for, The Alps which needed special insurance to cover me climbing mountains and Cape Verde which I bought extra cover for as we had to take 8 flights over the course of 10 days. Anyway if that wasn't an excuse for me to boast about my trips abroad then I don't know what is.
hairy Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Haven't they just been sold today? Anyway top BMI Baby tip is to book in online before you get to the airport if not they charge something like £30 to do it there eventhough it is exactly the same procedure if you did or didnt. Have you looked at the trains? Defo worth a call. Dont forget the train stations are in Paris and the airports are outside Paris.
sphericalfox Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 You should jsut wear all your clothes at the same time and you won't need baggage at all. I've flown with BMI and their not bad. Not as bad as Ryanair in ripoff stakes, but as someone mentioned if you are booking in advance BA do some good prices and depending on what time and the length of the flight you get a free sandwich/snack/croissant and a drink.
davieG Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 I've used BMi and Ryanair for trips to France and there wasn't much difference in the final price or the actual package in terms of booking in and comfort, Ryanair, despite all the add ons tended to be a little cheaper. I've never had any problems with either except BMI persuaded me and MrsG to take out separate credit cards with them on the promise of a free flight each. When we got back we found it was only one free individual flight per married couple even then it never turned up and I never got it. Suffice to say we no longer have the credit cards. We went to Dinard for 3 days and managed with just the cabin luggage but then we were self-catering and had a washing m/c to use.
Webbo Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 About 10 years ago me and the missus had a trip to Amsterdam on BMI baby. The return ticket said 12pm but they changed the time to 9am without informing us meaning we missed the flight. We could only get 1 ticket to Birmingham and 1 to Manchester, the car was parked at EMA, so me and the missus had to make our own way home individually. It was a fecking nightmare. Tbf they did repay our cost which were a lot as same day tickets cost a fortune.
Jon the Hat Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Alright ladies. I was being slightly facetious because I'm bored at work. The "hidden" extras aren't really hidden, they're quite clear as you progress through the booking process. They're annoying, and in the case of Ryanair they make me want to start punching faces but they're still pretty evident before you actually pay for the flight. MikeyT - my honest advice is BMI Baby will more than likely be by far the cheapest and quickest option, certainly if you want to travel from East Midlands. If you're only going for a few days consider not taking hold luggage so you save any baggage charges. You can fit a hell of a lot in a bag that's suitable to take on board with you. And lastly don't worry about the actual flight, chances are you won't die. Punching the staff is £40 per punch, with an £4.50 admin fee.
Asha Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 Well, last year I travelled from East Midlands to Paris using BMI Baby, so I guess my opinion is actually valid on something for once Yeah, it was alright.
Fox92 Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 I don't love flying, I love aircraft. The moment when you are taxing and the pilot puts engines on full... oh yeah :xmascool: I don't get scared, more nervous - crashing and terrorists are always in the back of my mind. But you can crash just as easy in a car, or a train, but the difference is that you are not fulling out of the sky. Anyway, never flown with BMI so I cannot comment. However, as a big reader of airlines and all that stuff etc, they don't come across at all like a bad experience. I mean like, reports about EasyJet and RyanAir are always bad, but that doesn't seem to be the case with BMI. They are owned by Lufthansa though, well, they were, just heared British Airways have brought them out. What ever you decide to do though, enjoy the experience. Flying is one of the things that I get excited about, and yeah I do feel slightly nervous in the air, but generally, I love it.
FoxesAreBlue Posted 22 December 2011 Posted 22 December 2011 When you hear about people getting flights for £12 return etc it is literally when they are parting for a seat to put their arse in and a 'carry-on' bag and NOTHING else. This is absolutely fine if you are going away for just a couple of days as a small sports holdall will be fine to take on board with you (an added advantage is you don't have to wait for your bags when you land or run the risk of the airline losing them). However if you want ANYTHING else on your flight, like a suitcase to check in, or a meal on your flight or sometimes even to reserve seats with who ever your traveling with then it will cost you extra but the fees are shown up front. Another thing is check-in, if you are just taking a carry-on bag then check in online - to bump up profit margins, most budget airlines will now charge you to check in a suitcase at the airport, or even if you don't have a suitcase and want to check in at the airport, guess what? It's gonna cost ya.... Definitely shop around and know what specifics you want with your flight to get a good idea of price because there are some absolute steals out there - me and my mates got return flights to Amsterdam for £70 (£35 each way). Fvck me, if I get I taxi home from town it costs me more than that!!!!
MikeyT Posted 23 December 2011 Author Posted 23 December 2011 Cheers for the info and help every one. Muchos appreciated. And @Fox92 I hadn't thought of terrorists to be honest...now I am!!! :xmasdry: :xmastongue:
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