Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Indian Ocean 2012
Flight Log 14: BD1604
Copenhagen (CPH) - Edinburgh (EDI)
I pondered during the boarding process that it clearly wasn't a bad passenger load at all, considering all the recent uncertainty surrounding bmi as a whole and Regional in particular. The bmi mainline operation had been sold by Lufthansa to IAG, the holding company owning British Airways, on 20 April 2012. Due to Lufty's failure to dispose of these separately, subsidiaries bmi Regional and bmibaby also passed into IAG ownership, although the latter had stated repeatedly that neither had any place in its long-term plans. IAG had successfully disposed of Regional just a week prior to this flight, selling the company to an Aberdeen-based consortium of investors. It was continuing to trade as bmi Regional for the time being, but a complete re-launch was expected in time for the winter 2012 timetable. So although I seemed to be in familiar surroundings in terms of livery, seats, uniforms and the like, the reality was that I was travelling on a new Scottish independent for the first time.
Engines started, we moved forwards off our remote stand at 1432 and were airborne just five minutes later. Rather unusually, cabin service started with the distribution of UK landing cards to those who required them. The three passengers travelling in Rows 1 and 2 were nominally Business Class - the seats were exactly the same! - and were offered newspapers while their meal trays were prepared. The service for the rest of us was a choice of either sandwiches (egg & cress or chicken wrap) or snacks (nuts or Walker's biscuits). I decided to try the egg sandwiches, aware that this was my first Economy flight since arriving in Gothenburg more than three weeks previously. When the beverage cart appeared, I had a Stella Artois and a coffee to wash them down.
In a similar observation to one made during that last Economy flight from London to Gothenburg, I reflected on what a nice crowd this seemed to be. There wasn't a single screaming baby, restless child or loud adult on board. It was a great way to end the trip, albeit in Economy on a regional jet!
The captain announced that we were expecting to land towards the east, after passing south of the city to get into position. The process of aligning with the runway took me by surprise as it was initially achieved through a long turn to the left. We experienced the first bumpy patch of the flight as we passed through some shower clouds, and then it was a typical Scottish mix of sunshine alternating with dull patches. We finally straightened up just south of Bathgate and touched down on the north-easterly runway at 1510 local time. Just two minutes later, we had parked on a remote stand close to the international end of the terminal building.
This flight will remain memorable principally
because it took place during a transitional phase for a
once-familiar carrier, where the outcome of that transition for the
time being remained unknown. Whatever you turn into, bmi Regional, I
wish you well!
 |
| Date: Sat 09 Jun 2012 |
| Aircraft: Embraer ERJ-145 |
| Scheduled dep: 1430 |
| Actual departure: 1432 |
| Scheduled arrival: 1525 |
| Actual arrival: 1512 |
| Cabin: Economy |
| Seat: 4A |
(iPhone photos)
