bmi regional used to be called bmibaby. It was the low-cost offshoot of BMI, the airline that was folded into IAG Group (that’s British Airways and Iberia in case you’re wondering) in 2012.
Its logo was one of the cutest logos ever:
And then IAG sold bmi regional to Sector Aviation Holdings Ltd.
With headquarters at Aberdeen and East Midlands Airport, bmi regional flies domestic UK and European routes. Small jets fly the skies – the Embraer 145 has 49 seats and the Embraer 135 has 37 seats.
Where does it fly?
There are no departures from London airports. Bmi Regional is, as the name suggests, a regional airline.
From Manchester, Aberdeen, East Midlands, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and Norwich airports you can fly to France (Paris, Nantes, Toulouse), Italy (Milan), Germany (Munich, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Hamburg), Belgium (Brussels and Liege), Denmark (Esbjerg), Norway (Oslo), Sweden (Gothenburg, Karlstad and Jönköping), Switzerland (Bern) and the Netherlands (Rotterdam).
In total, bmi Regional operates up to 300 flights per week to 25 destinations around the UK and Europe. They have a charter operation too where individuals and businesses can stump up for a private jet.
How many classes are there?
Bmi Regional offers two classes of travel – Economy and Economy Flexible.
Economy passengers:
• Seat selection at Check-in
• 31″ seat pitch with 1:2 seating
• Complimentary snacks and refreshments onboard
• 20kg hold baggage allowance
Economy Flexible passengers:
• Fully refundable, fully flexible ticket
• Lounge access
• Fast track
• Increased baggage allowance – two pieces weighing up to 30kg
• Complimentary drinks and snacks onboard
• Seat selection at check-in
Does it offer a free cabin baggage allowance?
Yup! Economy travellers may carry one main piece of hand baggage onboard weighing up to 12kg (55cm long, 40cm wide and 23cm deep), plus one personal item (such as a small handbag, briefcase, laptop, baby-changing bag, etc).
Economy Flexible customers may bring two main pieces of hand baggage onboard, plus one personal item.
Does bmi regional give you a checked baggage allowance?
Yes. It’s one piece of luggage, weighing up to 20kg, for Economy travellers.
And Economy Flexible customers get an extra bag. Two pieces of hold baggage weighing up to 30kg.
Excess baggage charges
There’s an additional bag charge of £35/€53 per item for customers travelling on economy fares. And despite the number of bags, if the combined weight is more than 20kg, a fee of £15/€23 per kg applies.
What about skis and sport equipment?
Sports equipment may be included as part of the free allowance.
Can I check-in online?
You can check-in at airport or online. Passengers may check-in online between 48 hours and four hours before departure. It’s possible to change your flight if it’s within four hours of the original departure time, but you’ll need to call the Contact Centre (on 0330 333 7998) for that.
Mislaid boarding cards can be reprinted via online check-in.
Is there a child fare?
Babies fly for almost free! There’s no infant fare. Lap infants (babies up to two yesrs) fly for 10 per cent of an adult fare.
And they get a baggage allowance; one piece weighing up to 10kg. Families with small children are boarded first. Light buggies weighing up to 5kg can be dropped off (and picked up) at the side of the aircraft. A buggy weighing up to 10kg can be checked in free of charge.
Children aged between 5 and 11 can travel as unaccompanied minors. This service can’t be booked online (call the centre: 0330 333 7998) but bmi Regional will honour its lowest available fare. The supervision charge is £35 / €53 per flight sector per booking reference. A second unaccompanied child is charged at £10/€12 per sector.
Does bmi regional assign seats?
Seats can be selected during online check-in, but once you’ve chosen your seat it can’t be changed.
Flights are boarded by seat row number so there’s no scrum at the boarding gate. Priority boarding is available for families with young children and those with reduced mobility.
How much legroom do you get?
Bmi Regional’s jets offer a 31-inch seat pitch, not too cramped.
Will I get a free cup of tea?
Snacks and refreshments are complimentary and there’s a free bar service.
Is there free in-flight entertainment on bmi regional flights?
There’s an in-flight magazine published twice a year.
Watch out for code-share flights!
Even if you book a bmi Regional flight, you may be travelling with another airline and subject to their allowances and fees. Their airline, their rules.
The usual Cheapflights rules apply:
- bmi Regional has occasional seat sales, but avoid, of course, the blackout dates (bank holidays, school holidays, major sporting events).
- Book as far in advance as you can. Research shows that 56 days to departure is the cheapest time to book.
- Look for early-morning or late-night flights but ensure that public transport will be running at that time.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (until lunchtime) are always the cheapest days to fly. Fridays and Sundays the most expensive. On Mondays, you’ve got to factor in bank holidays and people taking long weekends. - Check out bmi Regional’s lowest-fares page. It’ll give you an idea of what you can expect to pay. And then be as flexible as you can with your travel dates.
(Feature image: Trevor Hannant)
