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bmi opens doors to new international lounge

9th June 2009 Print
bmi has announced the opening this month of its new international lounge, bmi Number One Heathrow. The flagship lounge has been conceived with customer comforts in mind and provides a stylish environment in which to work, relax, dine and refresh.

bmi Number One Heathrow is the perfect stop for bmi customers connecting to any of bmi’s international destinations where they can choose to relax, refresh or rehydrate between flights and enjoy some homely British comforts.

bmi has created a new series of partnerships for the opening of the lounge that showcase Britain’s finest. Mark Hix, renowned and award-winning champion of British food is exclusively featuring his new line of salad dressings and ice cream on bmi’s midhaul Business Class menus and in bmi Number One Heathrow.

The Hix branded ice-cream will be stocked in a freezer where bmi customers can help themselves to Hix’ generous pots of either ‘Credit Crunch’ (caramel and honeycomb chocolate), rhubarb crumble or blueberry and Dorset Honey flavours. What better way to spend an idle hour waiting for your connecting flight than enjoying a sweet treat in the comfort of bmi’s flagship lounge.

bmi Number One Heathrow is open to bmi Business Class, Diamond Club (Gold and Silver) and Star Alliance Gold customers travelling to bmi international destinations. Located above Gate 5 in Terminal 1, bmi Number One Heathrow has a unique layout. It does not feature a reception desk – instead customers are welcomed inside by members of the Lounge Team. The space is divided into informal zones that cater to the varying needs of the international traveller – the emphasis being on providing a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Customers are welcomed in to bmi Number One Heathrow where style and comfort are paramount. A range of different chair designs allow travellers to rest, work or even nap in daybeds. Great views over the runway add to the experience.

The Study offers a work oriented environment with desk seating as well as a boardroom-style table and free Wifi is available.

The Cafe is centred around a stunning custom-made black Aga where steaming hot soup is available all day as well as a range of delicious food around the clock. From 1 July bmi will be launching their new dining-on-the-ground service for their evening flights where customers can choose to enjoy a tasty evening meal in bmi Number One Heathrow enabling them to relax and sleep once on board.

An informal, but sophisticated British pub environment is created in The Local where customers can unwind around a welcoming leather-buttoned horseshoe shaped bar and enjoy a choice of branded beverages including Fullers London Pride ale and English rosé wine in keeping with the strong British theme.

The styling and design throughout the lounge also emphasises Britain’s best, both traditional and contemporary. Chairs are by Tom Dixon – an innovative UK designer, while there are original works of art by an award-winning graduate of the Royal Academy of Art, Phil Shaw. Materials and colours are rich and sensual – reinforcing the indulgent, yet welcoming atmosphere.

The new international lounge is the latest in a series of innovations from bmi. The airline recently launched its new Chauffeur Drive and Premium Check-in area at London Heathrow’s Terminal 1 to provide a fast and hassle free check-in service for Business Class and Premium Economy customers as well as bmi Diamond Club Gold and Silver card holders.

bmi is the only airline at London Heathrow to offer Business Class customers a 30 minute check-in promise, enabling them to arrive at check-in as little as 30 minutes before their flight departs with the guarantee that they will make their flight. Premium leisure customers can also experience a more personal service when using the Premium Check-in area with bmi staff collecting luggage and travel documents from customers on arrival so that they can complete the check in formalities whilst they sit back and relax.

All bmi flights operate from London Heathrow Terminal 1 – the home of bmi. In addition to benefits including online check-in, travellers will also be able to take advantage of Diamond Club, the UK’s most generous frequent flyer programme, and bmi’s Company Rewards programme for SMEs (small and medium enterprises). Diamond Club destinations miles can be spent on flights with Star Alliance member airlines, hotel accommodation and on a range of gifts and treats.