We are going to fly to Edinburgh on Thanksgiving - Nov 27 - for a short trip. Looking at British Midland/United through Manchester. Anyone have any comments on the service on BMI/United to Manchester? and from Manchester to Edi? We are blessed with height (6'5&quot but not blessed with miles to upgrade to business or first class. Price looks right - $354+tax&fees. Short layovers between stops.

Hi bob1952,

From Chicago to Manchester you will be on a bmi aircraft ( A330). Even in economy you will get served a choice of food,with free drinks, free movies( no charge for headsets!!) on your PTV ( you can even watch the take off through the nose camera). You will also get breakfast.
Seating in Econ. will be 2-4-2.
Thr bmi service is supposed to be very good.( I have not flown this route personnally)
Manchester is reported to be a better aiport to connect through than the London airports.

The Manchester-Edinburgh flight will be on am Embraer 135 ( I think) with a flight time of around 50mins-1 hour ( dirinks and a snack should be served)


Have a great flight and time in Edinburgh ( any questions, please feel free to drop me an email or post them here)

Regards

TBS

Don't limit your options by using only Edinburo airport. I did inbound and had a frustrating experience just missing a UK BMI connection, and having 100+ folks lined up for airport bus into town.

Leaving I used Prestwick, and found Scottrail had a deal for some flights to give you free transport even including subways connecting that airport to Edinburg or anywhere in Scotland.

So you may find a flight either way (can openjaw free usually) using prestwick plus a little rail ride (most but not all connections require a brief walk thru Glasgow to switch train stations - a nice glimpse if you're lightly loaded).

P.S. on height using Airbus. One annoying nit is the seat numbers tend to be not viewable from on high, and you have to do an awkward squat to see the number, hoping not to knock into passengers ahead or behind. Airbus interiors used to be height-unfriendly compared to Boeing, but this may be less so recently. I'm not talking simple legroom, but maddening, dysfunctional things like the shape of your legroom with reclined seats or lowered trays (I'm talking about the very tall, nearly snapping femur's even in the best of conditions).

Oops, I meant prestwick if it was direct; maybe not possible from chicago (but who would have thought manchester - sure there isn't a hidden stopover?)

Yes, you can fly directly into Manchester from the States. BMI is a GREAT airline. really good service and decent food. I always try to fly internally in the UK on British Midland - even if another airline might be a little cheaper. I have not had a chance yet to fly them Transatlantic since I am on the west coast. But don't be reluctant to use BMI . . . . .