The faltering worldwide economy is showing no mercy, and bmi British Midland is no exception, as it annouced that bmi cuts routes amid rising costs due to rising losses.

The airline, which is reportedly the second-largest operating at London Heathrow airport, will be eliminating an important part of its domestic network in the United Kingdom and is cutting capacity to continental Europe.

This news obviously affects a number of FlyerTalk members, who discuss their dismay and options for the future.

The awesome do has a new thread home (formerly SAS do) and is expanded to 300 places.  Better hurry though, initial interest is already well into 3 figures. 

No, not soliciting that.  What would your reaction be if a flight attendant solicited you?

FlyerTalk member tcook052 posted in the Air Canada Aeroplan forum that Toronto Pearson airport raising passenger fee by $5, effectively increasing from CAD$20.00 to CAD$25.00, as a reaction to the reduction of the number of travelers using Lester B Pearson International Airport. This fee increase, effective 1 June 2009, will almost certainly increase airfares to and from Toronto accordingly.

The fee for connecting passengers will reportedly be CAD$8.00.

Of course, gauging from the reactions already posted, FlyerTalk members are not happy…

For once words fail me.  You can read about the nonsense and resulting discussion here.

FlyerTalk members open up and whine about security personnel at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris allegedly confiscating a corkscrew from FlyerTalk member jpmcdonough on 2 February 2009, prompting the belief that France cracks down on corkscrews.

What better day than on Valentine’s Day is there to discuss a FlyerTalk topic regarding a tool related to opening a bottle of wine by uncorking it? How romantic!

Anyway, FlyerTalk members are known not to screw around and keep things bottled up, and drinking in on this topic is no exception as nobody seems to get the point of this alleged crackdown. The discussion goes through its twists and turns, but apparently, transporting a corkscrew through an airport in France is a pour idea, as it can be a real pane in the glass these days…

FTers sure like to get bonus points or miles, but what do you do if you’ve already maxed out all the promotions?  yossimills asks the question here.

In the Breaking News: CO 3407 crashes while on descent into BUF thread, FlyerTalk members mourn the loss of those passengers and crew who died on Continental Connection flight 3407, operated by Colgan Air, which crashed into a private home near Buffalo, New York.

All on board were killed in the fiery crash, including 44 passengers, four Continental crew members and one person on the ground.

Discussion amongst FlyerTalk members includes speculation regarding the incident, as well as other commentary and opinions as to what might have been the cause of the accident.

Family members of Contenental Connection flight 3407 passengers and crew are advised to contact Continental Airlines at 1-800-621-3263.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, FlyerTalk member aaaz is in love with whom he describes as “a lovely girl”.

There is only one problem. aaaz lives in Lebanon and she lives in the United Kingdom — London, to be more precise. aaaz says, “I’m in a long distance relationship, need cheap flights!”

Here is your chance to help kindle a spark into a long-term fire — possibly even a raging inferno that could last for eternity. Can you assist with aaaz’s request?

Regular Qantas flyers, or readers of the Qantas forum, know op-ups on Qantas are rare as hens teeth.  Check out the double miracle in this discussion.