New-look for British Midland short-haul business

Lufthansa's UK carrier British Midland International (yes, that's how it likes to be known again these days) has begun rolling out a business class revamp on its short-haul fleet, which features new leather seats. I was among a group of journalists to experience the newly refurbished cabin on its first outing, a flight from Heathrow to Berlin this week, which alongside the new lighter seats also features new carpets, curtains, bulkheads and lighting. I took a couple of snaps (while getting in the way of people who were trying to get off when we landed) which gives you a rough idea of the new look - which I thought looks pretty class (the interior, not my photos that is).

All 16 of bmi's short-haul Airbus narrowbodies - ten A319s and  six A320s - will be revamped between now and May. Likewise its medium-haul Airbus narrowbodies will also be refurbished by May.

It marks a return to investment in the carrier's product after a difficult couple of years in which the carrier is aiming to turn round recent losses - it posted a loss of nearly $200 million in 2009/10. Bmi chief Wolfgang Prock-Schauer says the airline is on track to secure its first £100 million improvement - through a mixture of network revamp, increased productivity and synergies with parent group Lufthansa. "Such a turnaround takes time. In the medium term profitability is achievable and we have a credible plan [to do so]," he says.

You can read more about Prock-Schauer's efforts to turn round bmi from our recent Airline Business feature here.