BHX - Hello World!

Birmingham's gone all worldwide! Birmingham Airport wants to say 'Hello World' with its new slogan out there I wanted to see what this West Midlands airport has to offer. I wasn't flying anywhere but I took my passport just in-case, I really wanted to just get away but a thing called 'life' got in the way! Fancy a pre-flight meal or find a new and exciting place to entertain the little ones? BHX has got you! 

Now that's a sight that I love, I just needed my bag with me because Birmingham Airport just means one thing to me, that's holiday! Change has been going on for BHX for the new International Pier has brought a whole new look for this 'Brummie' airport. Our local West Midlands airport has welcomed a whole host of new scheduled airlines that have brought the world to Birmingham so that's a positive thing for sure! Turkish Airlines now fly from BHX to Istanbul Ataturk Airport ten times weekly, opening our eyes to the wonder that is Istanbul, Turkey as well as being a vast transfer hub everyone should be happy with that Turkish Delight!? Dubai is only a six hour flight from Birmingham Airport now for Emirates Airline graces its presence at BHX with twice daily flights seven days per week. The 'Empire State of Mind' I mean New York City is only a hop, skip and a flight away from Birmingham's own with United Airlines to Newark Liberty. Go on Brum! I guess the sky doesn't have to be the limit!?

BHX has been busy transforming its two terminals into one functioning terminal, now the new facility marries the low-cost, charter and scheduled carriers in specific areas of the terminal to streamline the whole passenger experience. Lounging around at Birmingham Airport is allowed for BHX boasts two lounges for passengers to kick-start their trip with that added sparkle, Aspire Lounge can found in the main departure lounge and the Emirates Lounge is located in the International Pier for First and Business passengers. Bangladesh is calling! Biman Bangladeshi Airlines shall be serving Birmingham Airport with twice weekly services to Dhaka, Bangladesh and New York's JFK Airport making this venture a very exciting time for Birmingham Airport. BHX shall be saying 'Ni Hao' to China Southern Airlines in July 2014 for a new exciting charter service has been agreed to welcome flights from Beijing, China once the £40 million runway extension is completed! 

All this news and good fortune made me hungry, so I dined at Birmingham Airport's very own Frankie & Benny's restaurant. Located before security on the first floor, its a great pre-flight option for any type of passenger to get into holiday mode! I chose the Spaghetti Carbonara, a personal favorite since I was a boy. Being my first time dining at Frankie's BHX location I was pleasantly surprised to realize that this land-side (before security) restaurant tailors their menu and service operation to enhance their guests experience, ensuring that overall guests enjoy their meal within the time constraints to work alongside the flight schedules. The core menu consists of the usual Frankie & Benny's favourites but they keep logistics in mind for nobody wants to be anymore stressed than usually when traveling by air, so from a flight and food way of thinking Frankie's has all bases covered! I try my best to fly from Birmingham Airport when I travel by air so if breakfast is on the menu I'll be back!

My Carbonara was really nice, I chose a Pepsi Cola to accompany my meal along with a few slices of a pizza style garlic bread as my starter. Our server attended to our needs and everything was brought to the table in a time-orderly fashion. Being part of the Blogger experience at Birmingham Airport was a great thing, combined with a hearty serving of good food gave us the opportunity to get to know each other for blogs consist of many different themes and niches so I really did enjoy seeing things from a different perspective. Who wants desert? I do! Choosing the Banoffee Waffle concluded my Frankie & Benny's afternoon dining experience just right. My best suggestion would be to check-in early to ensure that more time can be spent making the most of BHX's pre-security delights. So, if you're looking for a hearty Italian American meal before making your way through the security check-point at Birmingham Airport I suggest a meal and drinks are to be enjoyed at Frankie's & Benny's at BHX! 

Birmingham Airport has its very own mascot, well for the children anyhow. Zoom joined us for lunch before jetting off on another important flight, it was a hit for the younger diners during the Blogger meet but I found the 'True Blue' icon amusing as well. Going to the 'Sky Zone' has to be done if you're traveling with any passengers aged from 2 to 10 years old. Located opposite Gate 54 along the North Pier is the 'Sky Side' experience aimed at entertaining the younger passengers who will undoubtedly be extremely excited for their flights. The 'Sky Zone' is packed with interactive activities that all tell a exciting story of flight for Birmingham's youngest fliers. I'm not a child anymore so I could only imagine how excited I would have been if such a facility was around when I was a boy!? Nonetheless the presence of Zoom impressed the children very much! I must admit I was slightly jealous but I'm old enough to enjoy a pre-flight pint so that's good for me. 

Zoom and his friend gave us all Sky Passes to access the 'Sky Zone' but we were staying land-side so it was good to see the ways that Birmingham Airport are engaging with the younger passengers from the point of check-in right through to their experience in the 'Sky Side' activity area. I could definitely see my six year old cousin get excited about the Zoom hype at Birmingham Airport so all is well with the world. I shall keep my pre-flight drinks and the kids can enjoy their time in the 'Sky Zone'. So, considering I didn't board a flight to a far-flung destination I saw so much at Birmingham Airport. It was also fantastic getting to know the new and recent developments that are taking this West Midlands airport to new heights and opening new opportunities as far as China. But most of all I really enjoyed my Italian American lunch at Frankie & Benny's Birmingham Airport! 

Until next time BHX! 

Joseph Harrison