Flybe: Milan to Birmingham

The carrier: Flybe

Upside
Recently expanded network has yielded impressive destination list.

Downside
With all bases in the UK, airline not (yet) all-purpose. Booking over the phone extremely expensive. In general, there are many hidden fees and charges.

About
Flybe has emerged as a budget airline to watch. Flybe is now Europe’s largest regional low-cost airline. The UK-based low-cost carrier acquired most of British Airways' BA Connect routes in 2007, and currently operates a dense route map in and out of the UK, with especially good connections to destinations in France, with ten airports.

Flybe's base in Southampton makes it the premiere low-cost airline in the south of England. Most notable about Flybe: its connections to out-of-the-way corners of the British Isles that don't get a lot of low-cost air traffic, like Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and Jersey.
Flybe operates out of more UK airports than any other airline.

Baggage
* Carry-on: Up to 10 kg of hand luggage.
* Checked: Depending on your class (economy, economy plus), you are allowed between 20-30 kg of stuff. Anything over this is charged €9 per kilo.

Seating
You can pre-book seats at the time of your on-line booking or by calling customer service. A fee applies to bulkhead and exit row seats.

Fun Fact
If you have a few minutes, read through Flybe's frequently asked questions regarding baggage. We loved, "Can I travel with a life-jacked used for yachting?"
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Departure: Milan, Italy - Orio Al Serio (BGY)

Orio al Serio International Airport is an airport that serves low-cost traffic flights into Milan.

Location: Orio al Serio International Airport is located 45 kilometers (27miles) from Milan, and 5 kilometers from Bergamo.

Transport:

- Rail: After arriving at Bergamo railway station by train, passengers should take the ZANI bus shuttle service from Bus Stop 12 to the Orio al Serio airport. For the train schedule visit the Trenitalia Site.

- Bus: The Zani Bus Service can be found at the front entrance of the airport. There are other private bus services available as well. The airport is easily reachable by bus from Bergamo, Milan and Brescia. Schedules for the shuttles can be found on their officials sites. The companies include Airport Bus, Autostradale, and Orio Shuttle.

- Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport.

Service: There is an Information Office located at the airport. Travelers can enjoy shopping at the fashion boutiques and shops selling a range of good quality gifts and leatherwear, newspaper and tobacco, as well as the duty free shop. There are restaurants and wine bars located throughout the airport. There is a bank located at the airport, as well as ATMs, and a post office. The Eurochange currency exchange facility is available for all money matters such as buying and selling traveler's checks, traveler's checks refunds, sale of national and international telephone cards, and VAT refund service. There are also First-Aid and baby changing facilities. more...

Arrival: Birmingham, United Kingdom - Birmingham Intl (BHX)

Birmingham International Airport is one of the UK's busiest hubs. Well serviced by flag carrier and low-cost airlines alike, Birmingham is a major launch pad for bmibaby, flybe, and Thomsonfly. In 2007, the airport won the Airports Council International's award for Best Airport in Europe in its traffic category.

Location: Birmingham International Airport 10 km (six miles) southeast of central Birmingham in the borough of Solihull, West Midlands, England.

Transport:
- Rail: The Air-Rail shuttle service is free and links the airport to the Birmingham International Train Station in a few minutes. Train operators include CrossCountry and Virgin Trains, which offer service between London and Glasgow via Birmingham. For more information consult the railway's Official Website.

- Bus: Two bus lines transport passengers between the airport and central Birmingham. Both run an average of once every half-hour and take about 20 minutes.

- Taxi: Black cabs are able to carry up to five people with luggage. They can be found at the taxi stand outside the terminals.

Service: The airport contains information desks as well as the Visitor Center in terminal 1 for travel information. There are ATMs and currency exchange kiosks in both terminals. Aside from an extensive range of restaurants and shops, there are also postal facilities, 24-hour medical centers, and a prayer room.

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