BMI and CityJet - any good?

Lifelike

I'll be flying to London soon, and although I've flown with Aer Lingus and Ryanair plenty of times to Heathrow and Gatwick, I'm considering going with either BMI or CityJet next time as their fares are working out cheap.

Does anyone here have any past good/bad experiences with these airlines, and most importantly, if my cabin baggage exceeds their dimensions, will they kick up a fuss (like Ryanair) or will they normally let you on with it (like Aer Lingus)?

Zaph

I've flown Cityjet to Paris a couple of times and am doing so again next month. Unfortunately it's not by choice though, it's because of the flight times and fares and work are paying. Some of their planes are very small and cramped Avro RJ85s and are not particularly comfortable. That said, it's only a short flight to London so it probably wouldn't be too bad. No idea on the luggage I'm afraid, mine is the right size so I haven't had a problem there.

Lifelike

Zaph wrote: »

I've flown Cityjet to Paris a couple of times and am doing so again next month. Unfortunately it's not by choice though, it's because of the flight times and fares and work are paying. Some of their planes are very small and cramped Avro RJ85s and are not particularly comfortable. That said, it's only a short flight to London so it probably wouldn't be too bad. No idea on the luggage I'm afraid, mine is the right size so I haven't had a problem there.

When you say it's cramped, does that mean that the overhead bins are smaller than on Aer Lingus/Ryanair planes?

Zaph

If you're on the side with two seats (the other side has only one), the seats are narrow and cramped and certainly the row I was in the last time I flew with them had very little legroom. I really can't remember what the overhead bins were like as it wasn't really an issue for me.

Lifelike

Zaph wrote: »

If you're on the side with two seats (the other side has only one), the seats are narrow and cramped and certainly the row I was in the last time I flew with them had very little legroom. I really can't remember what the overhead bins were like as it wasn't really an issue for me.

I'll be flying economy class so I assume the seating for me will be 6-abreast? The seating plans I looked up claim that the Avro RJ85 has three seats on each side, is this true?

OPENROAD

I won't fly with anyone else but bmi, still a great service imo as for bag dimensions, really depends on luck and how busy the flight is.


Find the aircraft very comfortable, sadly not the A321 anymore but the A319, still though always find the flying experience wonderful with them.

Zaph

Lifelike wrote: »

I'll be flying economy class so I assume the seating for me will be 6-abreast? The seating plans I looked up claim that the Avro RJ85 has three seats on each side, is this true?

Sorry, I'm thinking of a different plane with the 2+1 seating, but the seating on the RJ85 is quite cramped. That said, it's probably grand for a trip to London, I'm just not a fan of it going as far as Paris.

BuffyBot

When you say it's cramped, does that mean that the overhead bins are smaller than on Aer Lingus/Ryanair planes?

Much smaller overhead bins.

efb

BMI- Aer Lingus with courtious and Professional Staff. Highly recommend.

mickoneill30

BuffyBot wrote: »

Much smaller overhead bins.

In the Cityjet planes. Most of the overhead bins are fine for hand luggage (I can fit my wheely bag in and that is about the Ryanair size). However if you get a seat near the wings the overhead bins are tiny.

If the flight is full they'll just put the bag in the hold and it'll be at the steps when you get off. If they're going to put your bag in the hold you'll know before you leave the terminal so you can grab books or laptop out with plenty of time.

You can check your bag in if you want, it's not an extra cost.

Before you go, check in online, you can choose your seat so you can make sure you're not sitting between two big blokes.

Thoie

I used fly with BMI a lot and always preferred them to Aer Lingus. There was more of a feeling of being a paying passenger rather than just a nuisance to be herded around the place.

gandalf

When I fly to London I tend to fly with Cityjet because they fly into London City Airport and I find it easier to get into the city using the Docklands Light Rail. The planes are a little cramped but it's only a little over an hour for the flight.

stereo_steve

I only fly BMI to London unless there us a massive price difference between them and Aer Lingus. Much more pleasant to fly with.

Slice

I've flown Cityjet plenty of times and while their planes are small they're by no means cramped. In fact I've always found their service to be excellent. I've missed flights and have been rebooked on the next flight at no extra cost (with a little pleading on my part). Depending on the time of day you're flying you'll also get something to eat onboard and once when my flight was delayed I was given meal vouchers without having to ask for them firstly. London City Airport is also a dream to fly through; so small and so easy to get through. They're deffo my first choice for London.

kindalen

do cityjet use bae146 aircraft?

BuffyBot

Almost. Avro RJ85 - newer versions of the BAe 146

totallytrees

+1 for BMI.

Only flew with them once to London as it was booked on www.ebookers.ie as part of a flight+hotel package, it was a really great experience. Plane was lovely as were staff. Would definitely fly with them again.

Sheep Shagger

BMI over Aer Lingus any day.

They can have good deals on long haul flights (connecting through LHR).

maynooth_rules

Have been tempoted to fly BMI a few times. What are their credit card charges and do you have to pay for baggage???

Fratton Fred

maynooth_rules wrote: »

Have been tempoted to fly BMI a few times. What are their credit card charges and do you have to pay for baggage???

No baggage charge and credit Card charges are per booking, not per passenger. it is about €10 I think. I don't think they accept laser, but debit cards are no charge.

You don't even have to check in online, you can just turn up at the desk and check in (well, at the machine actually).

sitstill

+1 on BMI

I only fly to London with them now. Professional staff and the whole experience is much less of a hassle. You can check-in at the counter or machine, no baggage charges and they give you a bit of lee-way, pre-booked seats which you can choose online if you wish and low credit card charges compared to the rest.

Prices generally compare well to the others, especially when you add on all the extra charges.

Savman

Another +1 for bmi

Poly

I'll vote for cityjet, always good service and usually on time.

Lifelike

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated. The reason why I say that cabin baggage dimensions enforcement is very important is because I'll be bringing a violin on board with me (which I refuse to check-in due to its' fragility). I've never had a problem bringing it on with Aer Lingus as their cabin crew are very friendly.

Can anyone tell me how strict BMI are when it comes to cabin baggage?

token101

efb wrote: »

BMI- Aer Lingus with courtious and Professional Staff. Highly recommend.

+1. Great Airline. Good Staff, reasonaly cheap if you book in advance, flown them back and forth to UK a few times. Beats Ryanair by a million miles in every possible way, quality of service, convenience.

maggiep2010

I highly recommend city jet..you can check a bag in at no extra charge, plus still have one piece of hand luggage AND your handbag, laptop case etc..really great service (complementary snacks, remember them??) and a really quick and easy journey to city from there..oh, and amzing views of london as you fly in!!

Zebra3

Less riff raff on CJ is my experience.