British Midland International or BMI Airlines operates from United Kingdom and has its hubs in Manchester and Heathrow airports. Formerly known as British Midland Airways, BMI Airline is majority owned by
Lufthansa Airlines. The airline was founded as British Midland Airways in 1964. BMI is the second largest airline of UK, and a member of star alliance. BMI Regional is an auxiliary of BMI which was founded in 1987. The airline offers a unique and attractive frequent flyer scheme. Through this scheme the travelers can earn miles and redeem them under Mileage Plus scheme. An Elite Qualifying Mile (EQM) and Elite Qualifying Segment (EQS) are awarded on every mile the traveler commutes through the qualifying flight. Both EQM and EQS guard the elite status in Mileage Plus. BMI Airlines operates more than 1,700 flights in a week, carrying travelers to 32 destinations in UK, Europe, Russia, North America, Caribbean and Saudi Arabia. BMI stands out for its special arrangements for disabled and senior citizens and unaccompanied minors. BMI Regional flights fly throughout the continent in Europe. In the United Kingdom, BMI Regional planes serve many airports such as Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Norwich, Leeds, Bradford and Aberdeen. In Europe, the main destinations are Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen and other major European cities.