BD721 Manchester to Antigua with BMI

I’m writing this report from the warm but slightly damp island of Antigua.

Here’s my first trip report of 2008. We only decided to go on holiday to Antigua about 2 weeks ago when a business friend of my dad said his apartment on the Island had become suddenly free, and if we would care to use it for a week. So after searching the internet, we found a reasonanle fare for the family (Me, my mum, dad and sister) to fly to Anigua with bmi from Manchester, the nearest airport to us apart from LBA.

After much last minute shopping and packing, we were ready for the hour drive to MAN, down the M62. We set off from our West Yorks home at 05:45, arriving at Manchetser at just after 06:50, quite good gfor early mroning rush hour! We parked at Premer Parking, and took the bus to the terminal area, takng about 20 mins from parking to terminal 3. The bmi check in wasn’t as bad as I’d expected, but there was still a sizeable queue. After 15 mins, we were checked in by a friendly agent and allocated seats 29 A,C and 30 A,C. I was pleased to get a window seat as I though they may put us in a block of 4.

It was now about 07:30, just over 2 hours until departure. We decided to head through security, which took about 20 mins. After that, we headed to costa coffe for some snakcs and a coffe. After another 45 mins, we browsed around the shops. I took a stroll down the pier watching the aircraft pass by. Our bird, G-WWBB I believe, was on stand being serviced, looking superb, I couldn’t wait to get onboard! A couple of stands away, I think ‘BD was getting ready to fly to Chicago. The BA 763 to JFK was also nearby.

We headed to the gate 44 I think and waited for boarding. Boarding was surprisingly annonced on time at just after 09:00 . Business and Premimum passengers first, then economy. We headed to the gate desk, and were finally heading down the airbridge to our A330.

21st March 2008.
Flight: BD721 Manchetser Intl to Antigua St John’s V.C Bird
Aircraft: A330-243 G-WWBD
http://www.airliners.net/photo/BMI-British-Midland/Airbus-A330-243/1261157/L
http://www.airliners.net/photo/BMI-British-Midland/Airbus-A330-243/1320281/L
Scheduled/Actual Departure: 09:45/09:43
Scheduled/Actual Arrival: 14:35/14:08
Scheduled/Actual Flight Time: 8hours 50mins/ 8hours 23mins
Load Factor (Approximate figures): J 10/18 W25/30 Y150/170 Total= 185/218

Once down the airbridge we entered the aircraft through door 2L and were greeted by a smiling hostie, pointing out how to get to get to our seats. I passed through the premium cabin, which utilises the old business seats which looked very comfy. We were going to upgrade but the prices seemed more business class than premium Y. We reached our seats in economy. They were actually reasonably comfy, and the legroom was not bad, 32″ I believe.
There was the TV box under the sat, slghtly obstructing my legroom, but as being 6ft, I found it to be sufficient. The window gave me a great view of the wing flaps. After another 15 mins, boarding had finished and doors were beig closed. The captain welcomed us onboard, thanked us for boarding swiftly and said we may be underway early. He inroduced teh crew, about 9, and teh FO. He said Est Flight Time was 8 hours 30 mins and we would initally be cruising at 34000ft. The route was mainly over the Atlantic before reaching Antigua.

Pushback commenced at 09:30ish, and the engines slowly came to life. We finally taxied to 23L within 10 mins. We waited for a couple of Aircraft to depart, Continental and Thomsonfly 752’s, before being our turn. The silent Rolls Royce engines groaned louder and soon we were rolling. After a 40 second Roll, were airborne into the unuasually clear blue skies of Manchetser! we climbed higher, not very powerfully but still good for a loaded A330.

After 10 mins seatbelt signs were off. Another 15 mins we were at FL340. the Voyager IFE came to life, and the crew began serving drinks etc. before lunch. I ordered a coke and a chocolate bar to keep me going. I settled down and began watching random stuff on the TV and listned to music. The meal, I forgot most of it but it was some kind of chicken and veg fare, was shortly served and was very tasty. After more drinks, I seetled wdown to a movie-Juno. I was quite funny actually and helped pass the time. the captain also updated us a few times which was great2 After watching more Tv and listening to music, Antigua was soon approaching. We’d been 5 hours and awere at 40000ft mid Atlantic, 3 hours to go.

The time ticked by, and soon the crew served the pre landing snack and another drinks service. The descent then commenced and the pale blue seas of the Caribbean were appearing below. The crew began securing the cabin for landing, and the captain thanked us and said goodbye. Flaps slowly began to deploy aswell as some speedbrake to slow us down. Th beautiful island of Antigua came into sight, with its lush green landscape. the weather was quite cloudy but there was some sum. As the aircraft descended,seat belt signs were switched on, and teh crew made their final preparations. We were soon establoshed on final approach to Runway 07. The remaining flaps were selected and gear lowered.

‘BB flared gently and kissed the tarmac on one of the smoothest landings I’ve ever experienced. The speedbrakes were deployed as well as a short burst of reverse thrust. The appraoch to VC Bird is amazing, as this pic will show: http://www.airliners.net/photo/-/-/1171404/L/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/BMI-British-Midland/Airbus-A330-243/1315847/L/

We backtracked towards the apron, with the crew welcoming us and asking us to remain seated. The outside air temp was a very hot 29*C! Lovely! The A330 was soon parked on stand and stairs were placed on the front 2 exits, 1L and 2L. After 5 mins were were cleared to disembark. We said are farewells to the crew and headed out into the humid air of Antigua. The walk to teh terminal was quick, and immigration took just 15 mins. Once in baggage reclaim, we waited just 5 mins and bags appeared. We obtained ours within another few minutes and were soon off to enjoy a weeks holiday on this gorgeous island!

I found bmi’s long haul product really good. The service from teh crew was impecable, entertainmnet and meals were great and comfort was fine for the 8 hour flight. I would really rate bmi for flying long haul, its just a shame they don’t have more routes to fly!

Thanks for reading!