Tried & Tested

Bmi A330 business class

1 Jun 2006 by Mark Caswell

FIRST IMPRESSIONS I arrived at Heathrow Terminal 1 at 0800 for the inaugural 0935 Bmi flight 777 to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Bmi began the route on the back of the success of its service to Riyadh last autumn. You need a letter of invitation to obtain a visa to enter the Kingdom. Religious tourists have their own special visa issued.

The new service is operated by a two-class B767 (leased from a Dutch charter carrier), to be replaced by an A330 by March 2007. I headed for Zone C, the priority check-in, which went smoothly and I was allocated a window seat. After check-in I went through security. At this point a passenger behind me was asked to step aside and his bag was searched. He had accidentally left a type of penknife in his hand luggage that was classed as an offensive weapon by Heathrow security. He was taken for questioning by the police and as a result missed the flight.

THE LOUNGE Bmi’s lounge is next to Gate 14, a five-minute walk from the security area. There are large windows giving a clean airy feel, and red and blue comfy chairs scattered in fours around low coffee tables. There are tea and coffee facilities, wifi access and computer points. The flight was called at 0900 and I walked to Gate 23, on the way passing through another security check.

BOARDING Boarding was at 0915. Configuration of the business class seating is 2-2-2 with seven rows of business class. My seat was 5H, just after the front cabin divide, which meant I didn’t have anyone in front of me, so had extra legroom. As soon as I was seated I was offered orange juice or champagne and given a stylish suede amenity kit with L’Occitane face cream as well as lip balm, a notebook and pen, tissue, mints and eye mask, socks, ear plugs and dental kit. An announcement was made that we had missed the initial take-off slot and so we taxied and queued for around half an hour before taking off at 1010. Both business class and economy class were nearly full. The flight time is just over six hours, arriving in Jeddah at 1740.

THE SEAT Seats have a pitch of 152cm, width of 53cm and recline of around 160 degrees. They are blue, with seat controls in the arm rest to adjust the recline, lumbar support and foot rest. The table folds out of the right-hand arm rest. My part of the cabin had three screens for in-flight entertainment (IFE) showing the same two films that economy class were offering. I was given headphones for this, although as a business class passenger I was also offered a portable DVD player with a choice of films. A330s have IFE in the seat-backs.

THE FLIGHT After take-off, “Steve” the onboard chef came around with the menu and wine list. Drink orders were taken at 1025 and the IFE began. Meal orders were taken at 1040 and Steve recommended a wine for me to try with the main dish. My tomato juice and a snack of Japanese crackers arrived 10 minutes later.

I wanted to watch a DVD but it took a while for the crew to distribute the portable players so I watched a bit of the general IFE while I waited. The pilot announced that we would be landing at 1704 local time, half an hour ahead of schedule. After getting the portable DVD player, I chose Crash as my film to watch during dinner, but found it difficult to balance the machine on the armrest while I ate. The passenger next to me could not get his DVD to work (it looked scratched) and told a flight attendant who promptly brought him a replacement.

At 1230 my table was laid with a blue cloth and plastic cutlery, wine, water and a small bread basket with butter. I chose an Arabian starter: tabbouleh, makdous, houmous, pumpkin kibbi and Arabian bread, followed by a main course of tender lamb fillet with a rich and very tasty Arabic tomato sauce served with brown rice and sautéed orka. It was delicious. I didn’t have room for the Bakewell tart, double cheesecake or cheeseboard spread.

I finished dinner by 1330 and was served hot drinks. My tea was lukewarm so I asked for a coffee instead. A few minutes later we were given our entry cards and an hour before landing, as we entered Saudia Arabia air space, women passengers were advised to put on their abayas. There was a queue for the toilets as

there were only three in operation and everyone was changing their clothes. We landed at 1743, local time, and because it was the inaugural flight, were whisked away on a VIP bus and welcomed with traditional dancing and music while our passports were processed. The airport is around a half-hour drive from Jeddah’s Corniche.

VERDICT A comfortable service and the crew were friendly and helpful. If the route is popular the business class seating will be increased – as has occurred on the Riyadh route.

PRICE Business class return fares start at £1,535, with restrictions. Fully flexible fares from £2,225.

OTHER OPTIONS Saudi Arabian Airlines, a dry airline, charges SAR5,926 (£844) return in business class (saudiairlines.com).

Felicity Cousins


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