Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Midwest Airlines shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Midwest Airlines offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Midwest Airlines at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Midwest Airlines? Wrong! If the Midwest Airlines is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Midwest Airlines then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Midwest Airlines? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Midwest Airlines and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Midwest Airlines wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Midwest Airlines then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Midwest Airlines site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Midwest Airlines, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Midwest Airlines, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox_Airline |airline=Midwest Airlines|logo=Midwest Airlines Logo.svg|logo_size=250px|fleet_size=37|destinations=22|IATA=YX|ICAO=MEP|callsign=MIDEX|parent=[Midwest Air Group, [Wisconsin|secondary_hubs=[Kansas City International Airport|frequent_flyer=Midwest Miles|lounge=Best Care Club|alliance=|website= http://www.midwestairlines.com|company_slogan=The Best Care In The Air-->

For the Egypt airline see: Midwest Airlines (Egypt)

Midwest Airlines is an American scheduled passenger airline based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, operating from General Mitchell International Airport. Midwest Airlines is largely known for its Signature Service all business class seating arrangement, which includes leather seats arranged 2-by-2 and fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookies. This product is available on Boeing 717 aircraft.

Skyway Airlines is a sister airline also owned by TPG Capital's airline holding Midwest Air Group that operates regional service under the name Midwest Connect.

History K-C Aviation Midwest Airlines began life in 1948, when Kimberly-Clark Corporation began providing air transportation for company executives and engineers between the company's Appleton, Wisconsin headquarters and their mills.

In 1969, K-C Aviation was born from this, and was dedicated to the maintenance of corporate aircraft. Midwest Express After the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, Kimberly-Clark and K-C Aviation decided to form a regular scheduled passenger airline, and out of that initiative, Midwest Express started on June 11, 1984. At the time the airline had two DC-9's and 83 employees.Midwest history exhibit at Mitchell Museum of Flight at the Milwaukee Airport

The airline slowly grew by adding Douglas DC-9 aircraft to its fleet. Eventually, Midwest Express served most major Midwestern and Eastern destinations. Their longtime slogan, The Best Care in the Air, represents their inflight product. For many years, all flights featured 2-by-2 leather seating, ample legroom, and inflight meals and cookies. This made the airline popular with business travelers. In addition, Midwest Express operated a sizable executive charter operation with a specially-configured DC-9.

In the 1990s, Midwest Express began adding McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft to their fleet. The airline experienced steady growth along with continued profitability. Midwest Express also started their own regional subsidiary, Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, to provide commuter airline service to small communities in Wisconsin and the surrounding region. Kimberley-Clark relinquished its ownership in two initial public offerings on 22 September 1995 and 8 May 1996.Flight International 12-18 April 2005

After fourteen years of profit-making, Midwest Express was affected with serious financial problems after the September 11 terrorist attacks. To return to profitability, the airline made major changes to its product. First, they reconfigured some MD-80 series aircraft into a new 'Saver Service', featuring cloth coach seats in a 2-by-3 arrangement. Saver Service, while decreasing the width of the seats, continues to feature ample legroom. This service is offered from their Milwaukee and Kansas City hubs to leisure destinations such as Florida, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix on McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. The airline's Signature Service was also affected by the financial difficulties. The signature gourmet meal services, which had been served on china after being cooked onboard, were discontinued in 2002.

Midwest Airlines .In 2002, the airline made another major change, shortening its name from Midwest Express to simply Midwest. A major reason for the change was the modern association of 'express' with a regional airline, which Midwest was not. At the same time, Midwest's commuter airline subsidiary changed its name from Skyway Airlines, the Midwest Express Connection, to Midwest Connect. In a move to save money on jet fuel, the airline accelerated the replacement of DC-9 aircraft with the Boeing 717. It was also announced that select MD-80 aircraft would leave the fleet.

In May 2005, Midwest announced a new buy-on-board meal service for customers. The new program is a step up from the previous 'In-flight Cafe' and features chefs and inspiration from the renowned Mader's restaurant. They also bake chocolate chip cookies on the plane and serve them warm.

Midwest has become the longstanding largest operation at Mitchell Airport and serves 21 cities non-stop (serving San Antonio only through Kansas City), while their regional partner Skyway Airlines, operating as Midwest Connect, serves nearly 30 destinations throughout the Central United States. Since the late 1990s, Midwest has built a focus city at Kansas City International Airport, where they presently operate nonstop service to 13 cities across the country.

On 23 May 2006, Midwest Airlines accepted one of the last two Boeing 717s delivered in a ceremony with AirTran Airways, who accepted the other 717. With the closure of the assembly line in Long Beach, California, this marked the end of commercial aircraft final assembly in California and the closure of the former Douglas commercial jet assembly facility. Large military jets are still produced in Long Beach, but it is expected to end in a few years when C-17 Globemaster III production ends.

Announced 17 May 2007, Midwest Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Northwest Airlines to form a codeshare agreement with them. The codeshare agreement will add 250 city pairs and 1,000 new flight options for Midwest Airlines customers. Northwest routes that will include the Midwest Airlines YX code are destinations beyond Northwest's hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis, Tennessee throughout the United States and Canada. Midwest will also place its code on Northwest flights from Indianapolis, a Northwest focus city. Additionally, Midwest's code will appear on a number of Northwest-operated flights to Hawaii and Alaska. Routes operated by Midwest Airlines that will carry the NW Northwest Airlines code are flights that connect at Midwest's Milwaukee and Kansas City hubs, as well as Omaha -- a Midwest focus city. OMA is Midwest Focus City Northwest Airlines will also codeshare on Midwest Airlines-operated flights between Milwaukee and Kansas City to Atlanta, Boston, Hartford, Los Angeles and San Francisco that connect to the Northwest Airlines/KLM trans-Atlantic network and trans-Pacific network.

Midwest has won more awards for exceptional service in Condé Nast Traveler magazine than any other U.S. airline.

Proposed AirTran / Midwest Airlines merger In December 2006, AirTran Holdings -- owner of AirTran Airways -- made public that in December 2005 it had approached the Board of Directors of Midwest Air Group -- owner of Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect -- and had asked the board negotiate a sale of the company. That AirTran offer in 2005 was rebuffed by Midwest's board, which also rebuffed a second offer in late 2006. In December 2006, AirTran disclosed the rejection of both offers in hopes of bringing shareholder pressure on Midwest's board to reconsider, which the board recommended that shareholders reject.

On August 12, 2007, it was announced that AirTran had lost the bid for Midwest. A private equity group, headed by TPG Capital and including Northwest Airlines, had inquired to purchase Midwest and will turn the airline into a privately funded company. The inclusion of Northwest in the investing parters may lead to anti-trust accusations from the United States Department of Justice, which reviews all airline mergers. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=645803

On August 14, 2007, AirTran increased its offer to the equivalent of $16.25 a share, slightly more than the $16 a share from TPG Capital investors group. AirTran Airways Boosts Bid For Midwest Airlines (USA Today: August 14, 2007) However, Midwest announced TPG would increase its offer to $17 per share and a definitive agreement had been reached late on August 16, 2007. Midwest announces agreement with TPG (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: August 16, 2007)

Future Plans

According to Midwest, the expansion plans are slated to result in the addition of at least six new destinations and as many as 12 new routes in 2007, as well as an increase in employment of approximately 8% throughout the year - not including SkyWest staffing to operate the 50-seat regional jet program.

Longer term, Midwest says that it is conducting a strategic review of other significant value-enhancing opportunities -- including replacement of its MD-80 fleet and additional interior reconfiguration of its aircraft. The aircraft being examined for this are the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320, though it would be hard to implement signature seating on an aircraft that is designed for six abreast seating.

On May 29, 2007, Midwest announced the next phase of the company's strategic plan, which will offer customers the choice of Signature and Saver seating on all flights. The dual-seating option will be available in fall 2007 on flights on the airline's MD-80 aircraft and in mid-2008 on its Boeing 717 fleet.

Signature Service -- currently offered on Boeing 717 flights -- features two-across, wide leather seats with additional legroom. Saver Service -- now available on longer-distance MD-80 flights to mostly leisure destinations -- features two-by-three seating with generous legroom.

Key features of the new seating option on Midwest's longer-distance, leisure-oriented MD-80 aircraft will include:



Key features of the new seating option on Midwest's Boeing 717 aircraft will include:



The same onboard amenities and "The best care in the air" service will be provided to all passengers on either aircraft.

According to Midwest, the dual-seating option is expected to enhance long-term shareholder value by increasing revenue while reducing unit costs. In current Saver markets, the company expects to generate additional revenue from the sale of higher-value Signature seats. In current Signature markets, added revenue generation is expected to result from capturing market share currently lost due to lack of capacity in high load factor markets or those that are slot-constrained, like Washington, D.C. Reagan National and New York La Guardia. The added capacity will also provide the seating needed to accommodate passengers connecting from other Midwest Airlines flights, Midwest Connect flights and the new codeshare partnership with Northwest Airlines, as well as additional demand stimulated by the added low-fare Saver seating. Overall, the implementation of seating choices is projected to generate $30-35 million in annualized revenue.

The addition of 11 seats on each of the airline's 25 Boeing 717 aircraft will also reduce the airline's unit costs by increasing capacity 12.5%. Had the new seating configuration on the Boeing 717s been in effect in 2006, Midwest Airlines' cost per available seat mile excluding fuel of 7.22 cents would have been 6.77 cents, a 6.3% improvement.

Services Midwest Miles Midwest Airlines' frequent flyer program is called Midwest Miles. They maintain one airport lounge, the Best Care Club at their Milwaukee hub in the D Concourse.

While Midwest is not a member of any airline alliance, Midwest Miles may be redeemed in the Northwest Airlines WorldPerks program, and vice versa. As of 2006, Northwest route maps show Midwest as a partner airline as Northwest is pulling its non-hub flights out of Milwaukee.

Midwest Miles is unusual in that it has links to the Amtrak program. Midwest Miles members may transfer lots of 5,000 miles, up to a maximum of 25,000 miles per year to Amtrak's program. Amtrak points can be used for travel on Amtrak and Continental Airlines.

Cookies One of the most defining features of the airline are the chocolate chip cookies which are baked on the planes and served near the end of the flights. According to an exhibit on Midwest history at the Mitchell Gallery of Flight at the Mitchell Airport, the airline began serving the cookie after an executive experimented with the impact of smells on flights following a charter flight. Popcorn and pizza rolls did not make the cut.

The cookie is now featured in Midwest advertisements, used in Midwest's "savethecookie" campaign to stop the AirTran Airways takeover, and is served at professional baseball games at Miller Park and Kauffman Stadium, and also basketball and hockey games at Milwaukee's Bradley Center.http://mymidwestmagazine.com/2007/05/01/welcome-2/

Destinations Midwest Airlines currently flies to 22 destinations throughout the United States of America.

Fleet As of October 2007, the Midwest Airlines all-Boeing (including McDonnell-Douglas) fleet includes 37 aircraft:http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Midwest%20Airlines.htm{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"|+ Midwest Airlines Fleet|- bgcolor=gold!Aircraft!Total!Passengers
(Economy)!Routes!Notes|-|Boeing 717|align=center|25|88 (88)|Domestic|Signature service|-|McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90|align=center|6|147 (147)|Domestic|Saver Service|-|McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90|align=center|1|116 (116)|Domestic|Signature Service|-|McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90|align=center|2|74 (74)|Domestic|Signature Service (Charters)|-|McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90|align=center|3|143 (143)|Domestic|Saver Service|}

As of October 2007, the average fleet age of Midwest Airlines was 10 years old. http://www.airfleets.net/ageflotte/Midwest%20Airlines.htm

Incidents and accidents



Livery At the beginning of Midwest's life, they flew only DC-9s of the -10 and -30 series. These planes were painted in a dark blue on the upper half, and white on the lower half. The two were separated by two white, a blue, and a red cheatline, which ran up the trailing edge of the tail. The engines were white, and on the tail was a bold 'M' and a script 'E', representing Midwest Express, and the way the titles were printed. This scheme can still be found on one Beech 1900D of Midwest Connect, sans the 'M E' on the tail. Midwest Express Airlines DC-9-30 in startup livery on Airliners.net

In the early 1990s, the airline started to add DC-9-80, more commonly known as the MD-80 or "Super 80", aircraft to their fleet, initially in the same livery. It wasn't until the mid-90s that they changed the paint scheme. The top half of the aircraft remained blue, but the bottom half was repainted grey, along with the engines, and they were now separated by a gold, white, and red cheatline. The tail logo also took minor changes, adding a circle around the lettering and a gold, white, and red stripe from the circle to the leading edge of the tail. Despite the unchanged lettering on the tail, the titles on the fuselage were changed to all bold letters, rather than the script "Express" titles. Midwest Express Airlines DC-9-10 in intermediate colors on Airliners.net

In 2003, Midwest Express Airlines began to create a new identity, as the first Boeing 717s were being delivered, and the DC-9 aircraft were being retired. They started with chopping the "Express" out of their name (and thusly, off of the fuselage), and they designed a new logo which would help point them out as a representative of Milwaukee. The result was a logo that looks much like a wing, with a small 'M' inside of it. However, if the logo is turned on its side, it bears a resemblance to the Milwaukee Art Museum, designed by Santiago Calatrava, which was being constructed at the same time. The Art Museum has risen out as an icon of Milwaukee, and so the new Midwest Airlines felt this would be a good representation. Along with this new identity came a new livery. The bottom of the aircraft remained grey, while the top were repainted in a lighter, deeper blue, with essentially the same gold, white, and red cheatlines separating the two. On the lower half, there was also a blue swoop, starting at the front (looking much like another stripe), getting larger as it goes back, until it covers the whole tail section. The engines on these planes were painted in the same blue color, with 4 gold rings on the port engine, and 3 on the starboard. This was meant to represent the ranking of Captain and First Officer, along with where they sit. An error, however, occurred in the painting of the livery in the first aircraft. Boeing misunderstood the livery, and N902ME was delivered with 4 rings on both engines. The aircraft remains that way today. All other 717s delivered were painted correctly, along with one MD-80, registered N813ME (and two more to join the fleet in 2007). All other remaining MD-80s have a sort of hybrid livery, combining the lighter blue, light gray engines/belly and stripes of the old Midwest Express livery with the current logo and titling of Midwest Airlines. Midwest Airlines 717 in "Calatrava" livery on Airliners.net

References

External links

{{Infobox_Airline |airline=Midwest Airlines|logo=Midwest Airlines Logo.svg|logo_size=250px|fleet_size=37|destinations=22|IATA=YX|ICAO=MEP|callsign=MIDEX|parent=[Midwest Air Group, [Wisconsin|secondary_hubs=[Kansas City International Airport|frequent_flyer=Midwest Miles|lounge=Best Care Club|alliance=|website= http://www.midwestairlines.com|company_slogan=The Best Care In The Air-->

For the Egypt airline see: Midwest Airlines (Egypt)

Midwest Airlines is an American scheduled passenger airline based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, operating from General Mitchell International Airport. Midwest Airlines is largely known for its Signature Service all business class seating arrangement, which includes leather seats arranged 2-by-2 and fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookies. This product is available on Boeing 717 aircraft.

Skyway Airlines is a sister airline also owned by TPG Capital's airline holding Midwest Air Group that operates regional service under the name Midwest Connect.

History K-C Aviation Midwest Airlines began life in 1948, when Kimberly-Clark Corporation began providing air transportation for company executives and engineers between the company's Appleton, Wisconsin headquarters and their mills.

In 1969, K-C Aviation was born from this, and was dedicated to the maintenance of corporate aircraft. Midwest Express After the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, Kimberly-Clark and K-C Aviation decided to form a regular scheduled passenger airline, and out of that initiative, Midwest Express started on June 11, 1984. At the time the airline had two DC-9's and 83 employees.Midwest history exhibit at Mitchell Museum of Flight at the Milwaukee Airport

The airline slowly grew by adding Douglas DC-9 aircraft to its fleet. Eventually, Midwest Express served most major Midwestern and Eastern destinations. Their longtime slogan, The Best Care in the Air, represents their inflight product. For many years, all flights featured 2-by-2 leather seating, ample legroom, and inflight meals and cookies. This made the airline popular with business travelers. In addition, Midwest Express operated a sizable executive charter operation with a specially-configured DC-9.

In the 1990s, Midwest Express began adding McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft to their fleet. The airline experienced steady growth along with continued profitability. Midwest Express also started their own regional subsidiary, Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, to provide commuter airline service to small communities in Wisconsin and the surrounding region. Kimberley-Clark relinquished its ownership in two initial public offerings on 22 September 1995 and 8 May 1996.Flight International 12-18 April 2005

After fourteen years of profit-making, Midwest Express was affected with serious financial problems after the September 11 terrorist attacks. To return to profitability, the airline made major changes to its product. First, they reconfigured some MD-80 series aircraft into a new 'Saver Service', featuring cloth coach seats in a 2-by-3 arrangement. Saver Service, while decreasing the width of the seats, continues to feature ample legroom. This service is offered from their Milwaukee and Kansas City hubs to leisure destinations such as Florida, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix on McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. The airline's Signature Service was also affected by the financial difficulties. The signature gourmet meal services, which had been served on china after being cooked onboard, were discontinued in 2002.

Midwest Airlines .In 2002, the airline made another major change, shortening its name from Midwest Express to simply Midwest. A major reason for the change was the modern association of 'express' with a regional airline, which Midwest was not. At the same time, Midwest's commuter airline subsidiary changed its name from Skyway Airlines, the Midwest Express Connection, to Midwest Connect. In a move to save money on jet fuel, the airline accelerated the replacement of DC-9 aircraft with the Boeing 717. It was also announced that select MD-80 aircraft would leave the fleet.

In May 2005, Midwest announced a new buy-on-board meal service for customers. The new program is a step up from the previous 'In-flight Cafe' and features chefs and inspiration from the renowned Mader's restaurant. They also bake chocolate chip cookies on the plane and serve them warm.

Midwest has become the longstanding largest operation at Mitchell Airport and serves 21 cities non-stop (serving San Antonio only through Kansas City), while their regional partner Skyway Airlines, operating as Midwest Connect, serves nearly 30 destinations throughout the Central United States. Since the late 1990s, Midwest has built a focus city at Kansas City International Airport, where they presently operate nonstop service to 13 cities across the country.

On 23 May 2006, Midwest Airlines accepted one of the last two Boeing 717s delivered in a ceremony with AirTran Airways, who accepted the other 717. With the closure of the assembly line in Long Beach, California, this marked the end of commercial aircraft final assembly in California and the closure of the former Douglas commercial jet assembly facility. Large military jets are still produced in Long Beach, but it is expected to end in a few years when C-17 Globemaster III production ends.

Announced 17 May 2007, Midwest Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Northwest Airlines to form a codeshare agreement with them. The codeshare agreement will add 250 city pairs and 1,000 new flight options for Midwest Airlines customers. Northwest routes that will include the Midwest Airlines YX code are destinations beyond Northwest's hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis, Tennessee throughout the United States and Canada. Midwest will also place its code on Northwest flights from Indianapolis, a Northwest focus city. Additionally, Midwest's code will appear on a number of Northwest-operated flights to Hawaii and Alaska. Routes operated by Midwest Airlines that will carry the NW Northwest Airlines code are flights that connect at Midwest's Milwaukee and Kansas City hubs, as well as Omaha -- a Midwest focus city. OMA is Midwest Focus City Northwest Airlines will also codeshare on Midwest Airlines-operated flights between Milwaukee and Kansas City to Atlanta, Boston, Hartford, Los Angeles and San Francisco that connect to the Northwest Airlines/KLM trans-Atlantic network and trans-Pacific network.

Midwest has won more awards for exceptional service in Condé Nast Traveler magazine than any other U.S. airline.

Proposed AirTran / Midwest Airlines merger In December 2006, AirTran Holdings -- owner of AirTran Airways -- made public that in December 2005 it had approached the Board of Directors of Midwest Air Group -- owner of Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect -- and had asked the board negotiate a sale of the company. That AirTran offer in 2005 was rebuffed by Midwest's board, which also rebuffed a second offer in late 2006. In December 2006, AirTran disclosed the rejection of both offers in hopes of bringing shareholder pressure on Midwest's board to reconsider, which the board recommended that shareholders reject.

On August 12, 2007, it was announced that AirTran had lost the bid for Midwest. A private equity group, headed by TPG Capital and including Northwest Airlines, had inquired to purchase Midwest and will turn the airline into a privately funded company. The inclusion of Northwest in the investing parters may lead to anti-trust accusations from the United States Department of Justice, which reviews all airline mergers. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=645803

On August 14, 2007, AirTran increased its offer to the equivalent of $16.25 a share, slightly more than the $16 a share from TPG Capital investors group. AirTran Airways Boosts Bid For Midwest Airlines (USA Today: August 14, 2007) However, Midwest announced TPG would increase its offer to $17 per share and a definitive agreement had been reached late on August 16, 2007. Midwest announces agreement with TPG (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: August 16, 2007)

Future Plans

According to Midwest, the expansion plans are slated to result in the addition of at least six new destinations and as many as 12 new routes in 2007, as well as an increase in employment of approximately 8% throughout the year - not including SkyWest staffing to operate the 50-seat regional jet program.

Longer term, Midwest says that it is conducting a strategic review of other significant value-enhancing opportunities -- including replacement of its MD-80 fleet and additional interior reconfiguration of its aircraft. The aircraft being examined for this are the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320, though it would be hard to implement signature seating on an aircraft that is designed for six abreast seating.

On May 29, 2007, Midwest announced the next phase of the company's strategic plan, which will offer customers the choice of Signature and Saver seating on all flights. The dual-seating option will be available in fall 2007 on flights on the airline's MD-80 aircraft and in mid-2008 on its Boeing 717 fleet.

Signature Service -- currently offered on Boeing 717 flights -- features two-across, wide leather seats with additional legroom. Saver Service -- now available on longer-distance MD-80 flights to mostly leisure destinations -- features two-by-three seating with generous legroom.

Key features of the new seating option on Midwest's longer-distance, leisure-oriented MD-80 aircraft will include:



Key features of the new seating option on Midwest's Boeing 717 aircraft will include:



The same onboard amenities and "The best care in the air" service will be provided to all passengers on either aircraft.

According to Midwest, the dual-seating option is expected to enhance long-term shareholder value by increasing revenue while reducing unit costs. In current Saver markets, the company expects to generate additional revenue from the sale of higher-value Signature seats. In current Signature markets, added revenue generation is expected to result from capturing market share currently lost due to lack of capacity in high load factor markets or those that are slot-constrained, like Washington, D.C. Reagan National and New York La Guardia. The added capacity will also provide the seating needed to accommodate passengers connecting from other Midwest Airlines flights, Midwest Connect flights and the new codeshare partnership with Northwest Airlines, as well as additional demand stimulated by the added low-fare Saver seating. Overall, the implementation of seating choices is projected to generate $30-35 million in annualized revenue.

The addition of 11 seats on each of the airline's 25 Boeing 717 aircraft will also reduce the airline's unit costs by increasing capacity 12.5%. Had the new seating configuration on the Boeing 717s been in effect in 2006, Midwest Airlines' cost per available seat mile excluding fuel of 7.22 cents would have been 6.77 cents, a 6.3% improvement.

Services Midwest Miles Midwest Airlines' frequent flyer program is called Midwest Miles. They maintain one airport lounge, the Best Care Club at their Milwaukee hub in the D Concourse.

While Midwest is not a member of any airline alliance, Midwest Miles may be redeemed in the Northwest Airlines WorldPerks program, and vice versa. As of 2006, Northwest route maps show Midwest as a partner airline as Northwest is pulling its non-hub flights out of Milwaukee.

Midwest Miles is unusual in that it has links to the Amtrak program. Midwest Miles members may transfer lots of 5,000 miles, up to a maximum of 25,000 miles per year to Amtrak's program. Amtrak points can be used for travel on Amtrak and Continental Airlines.

Cookies One of the most defining features of the airline are the chocolate chip cookies which are baked on the planes and served near the end of the flights. According to an exhibit on Midwest history at the Mitchell Gallery of Flight at the Mitchell Airport, the airline began serving the cookie after an executive experimented with the impact of smells on flights following a charter flight. Popcorn and pizza rolls did not make the cut.

The cookie is now featured in Midwest advertisements, used in Midwest's "savethecookie" campaign to stop the AirTran Airways takeover, and is served at professional baseball games at Miller Park and Kauffman Stadium, and also basketball and hockey games at Milwaukee's Bradley Center.http://mymidwestmagazine.com/2007/05/01/welcome-2/

Destinations Midwest Airlines currently flies to 22 destinations throughout the United States of America.

Fleet As of October 2007, the Midwest Airlines all-Boeing (including McDonnell-Douglas) fleet includes 37 aircraft:http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Midwest%20Airlines.htm{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"|+ Midwest Airlines Fleet|- bgcolor=gold!Aircraft!Total!Passengers
(Economy)!Routes!Notes|-|Boeing 717|align=center|25|88 (88)|Domestic|Signature service|-|McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90|align=center|6|147 (147)|Domestic|Saver Service|-|McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90|align=center|1|116 (116)|Domestic|Signature Service|-|McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90|align=center|2|74 (74)|Domestic|Signature Service (Charters)|-|McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90|align=center|3|143 (143)|Domestic|Saver Service|}

As of October 2007, the average fleet age of Midwest Airlines was 10 years old. http://www.airfleets.net/ageflotte/Midwest%20Airlines.htm

Incidents and accidents



Livery At the beginning of Midwest's life, they flew only DC-9s of the -10 and -30 series. These planes were painted in a dark blue on the upper half, and white on the lower half. The two were separated by two white, a blue, and a red cheatline, which ran up the trailing edge of the tail. The engines were white, and on the tail was a bold 'M' and a script 'E', representing Midwest Express, and the way the titles were printed. This scheme can still be found on one Beech 1900D of Midwest Connect, sans the 'M E' on the tail. Midwest Express Airlines DC-9-30 in startup livery on Airliners.net

In the early 1990s, the airline started to add DC-9-80, more commonly known as the MD-80 or "Super 80", aircraft to their fleet, initially in the same livery. It wasn't until the mid-90s that they changed the paint scheme. The top half of the aircraft remained blue, but the bottom half was repainted grey, along with the engines, and they were now separated by a gold, white, and red cheatline. The tail logo also took minor changes, adding a circle around the lettering and a gold, white, and red stripe from the circle to the leading edge of the tail. Despite the unchanged lettering on the tail, the titles on the fuselage were changed to all bold letters, rather than the script "Express" titles. Midwest Express Airlines DC-9-10 in intermediate colors on Airliners.net

In 2003, Midwest Express Airlines began to create a new identity, as the first Boeing 717s were being delivered, and the DC-9 aircraft were being retired. They started with chopping the "Express" out of their name (and thusly, off of the fuselage), and they designed a new logo which would help point them out as a representative of Milwaukee. The result was a logo that looks much like a wing, with a small 'M' inside of it. However, if the logo is turned on its side, it bears a resemblance to the Milwaukee Art Museum, designed by Santiago Calatrava, which was being constructed at the same time. The Art Museum has risen out as an icon of Milwaukee, and so the new Midwest Airlines felt this would be a good representation. Along with this new identity came a new livery. The bottom of the aircraft remained grey, while the top were repainted in a lighter, deeper blue, with essentially the same gold, white, and red cheatlines separating the two. On the lower half, there was also a blue swoop, starting at the front (looking much like another stripe), getting larger as it goes back, until it covers the whole tail section. The engines on these planes were painted in the same blue color, with 4 gold rings on the port engine, and 3 on the starboard. This was meant to represent the ranking of Captain and First Officer, along with where they sit. An error, however, occurred in the painting of the livery in the first aircraft. Boeing misunderstood the livery, and N902ME was delivered with 4 rings on both engines. The aircraft remains that way today. All other 717s delivered were painted correctly, along with one MD-80, registered N813ME (and two more to join the fleet in 2007). All other remaining MD-80s have a sort of hybrid livery, combining the lighter blue, light gray engines/belly and stripes of the old Midwest Express livery with the current logo and titling of Midwest Airlines. Midwest Airlines 717 in "Calatrava" livery on Airliners.net

References

External links



 

Midwest Airlines



 
Copyright © 2008 Hintcenter.com - All rights reserved.
Home | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
All Trademarks belong to their repective owners. Many aspects of this page are used under
commercial commons license from Yahoo!