It was nice while it lasted
Written: Mar 02 '03 (Updated Mar 02 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: wide leather seating, friendly staff, chocolate chip cookies
Cons: meal service completely eliminated, no more free wine/champagne, limited route network
The Bottom Line: You will likely pay a bit more for your flight, but you should enjoy a more comfortable flight. Just not the great value it once was.
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| Charles802's Full Review: Midwest Express |
Background:
Midwest Airlines (f.k.a. Midwest Express) is currently experiencing something of an identity crisis. They have always been a business traveler's airline. They were actually started in the early 80s by Kimberley-Clark's "K-C Aviation" in order to offer the public something approximating the corporate jet service KC had been offering its execs for years. Although Midwest's birth was somewhat unusual, scores of these "premium service" airlines came and went during the post-deregulation bonanza of the 80s. However, only Midwest has survived to this day.
Midwest succeeded by keeping off the toes of the major carriers. By operating out of Milwaukee, they were able to enjoy low operating costs and uncongested facilities while still drawing some business travelers away from the major carriers serving Chicago. But now, after years of profits, costs are rising and revenues drying up. Apparently, Midwest feels drastic changes are necessary if it hopes to weather the crisis.
Midwest will soon launch a new low fare start-up in hopes of attracting more leisure travelers. In Q3 2003, Midwest will re-configure 5 MD-80s (the seats will be narrower, with a 2x3 configuration instead of the current 2x2). These MD-80s will be used for flights to low-yield, leisure markets, such as Las Vegas. However, Midwest's remaining 25-30 aircraft will retain the 2x2 configuration. On a positive note, Midwest has just received the first of 25 Boeing 717s, which will begin to replace the aging DC-9 fleet.
Midwest is also suspending all meal service. Do not be mislead by the fact their timetable and website still indicate full meal service on many flights. Midwest claims the move is temporary, but I'd be surprised to see any improvements until the economy begins to improve. Additionally, the cork was placed on the complimentary wine several months ago, and even their poor excuse for a sparkling wine is no longer gratis. On flights that formerly received meals, passengers will now receive bite-sized pastries in the morning and warm chocolate chip cookies and snack mix in the afternoons and evenings. However, one should still keep in mind that most of Midwest's flights are under four hours in length, and many other US carriers offer very little, if anything, to coach passengers on flights of comparable length.
The experience:
Midwest offers an easy-to-navigate and functional website. Although I have never availed myself of this service, they claim to offer live online booking assistance. If you become a "member" of their site, they allow you to hold an itinerary for up to 72 hours (most airlines only allow 48), and retrieve a stored itinerary online. At the airport, agents are personable, and in my experience, the check-in lines are seldom long. So I've been told, they have recently started to install kiosk-style check-in machines at Milwaukee, although I have yet to see one.
Midwest offers both refundable and non-refundable fares. If you need to make a change to a non-refundable ticket, Midwest will charge you a $100 fee on top of any fare increase. At least for the non-refundable fare I booked, same-day standbys were permitted. Tickets retain their value for up to a year past the original date, but for non-refundable fares, a $100 penalty will be accessed.
The seats on Midwest Express are upholstered in leather and are 21'' wide, compared to the standard 17-18'' found in coach on most airlines. The distance between seats (seat pitch) averages 33 inches, which is slightly more than the 31-32'' pitch featured by most airlines. In short, the seat width is First Class, but the legroom is not. The cabins are generally clean, although on some older airplanes, the leather on the seats appears cracked and worn.
With the new service changes, in-flight service has sunk almost to the level of no frills carriers (the chocolate chips cookies are the one saving grace). There is no in-flight entertainment on any of Midwest's flights. The cabin crews are generally friendly and accommodating. I have never found this "get your derrière in your siège and fermer votre bouche" attitude that prevails at some larger carriers.
In my experience, Midwest is comparable to other airlines in terms of on-time performance, and I have never had a problem with baggage handling. On several occasions, my bags have been on the carrousel even before I arrived at baggage claim.
Other stuff:
Midwest's main hub is in Milwaukee, but they also have mini-hubs in Omaha and Kansas City. Midwest Connect (d.b.a. Skyway Airlines) also offers commuter service to numerous cities from Milwaukee. Midwest's frequent flyer program allows you to redeem miles for travel on Frontier, Northwest and Virgin Atlantic. The relationship with Northwest and Virgin will end April 28, but new partnerships with Air Jamaica and American will come in April and June respectively. ME also partners with Amtrak on select routes and several hotel chains.
Midwest is still superior to most other carriers, and I would particularly recommend Midwest to those who find the seats on other airlines to be too narrow. However, I no longer intend to go out of my way to fly with them.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Charles802
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Location: Silicon Valley, California
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 6 members
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