It was announced today in Milwaukee that Midwest Express Airlines will change its name to Midwest Airlines. An updated paint scheme will also be introduced just prior to the Feb. 2003 debut of their Boeing 717s.Research indicated that travellers unfamiliar with the "Best Care In The Air" airline, which flies throughout the US, perceived the airline as a regional. Removing the "Express" from the name should refocus the brand identity.The stylized "ME" on the vertical fin will be replaced with an artisitc design. The engine nacelles of their MD-88, DC9-30 and new B717-200 aircraft will be dark blue, and the fuselage striping will be a little more stylized.Artists' rendering can be seen at their web site www.midwestexpress.comIn addition, their regional feeder airline, Skyway Airlines, will be renamed to "Midwest Connect." Seems passengers didn't make the connection that Skyway indeed did connect with Midwest Express flights. Skyway flies Beech 1900s, Dornier 328 RJs, and will take delivery in 2004 of Embraer 145 RJs.For those unfamiliar with Midwest Express, they fly nationwide with hubs in Kansas City MO and Milwaukee WI and a mini hub in Omaha. The airline is known for its entire-coach 2x2 leather seating, full service gourmet meals served on china, free champagne, and in-flight baked chocolate chip cookies. All for much less than 1st class.If you get a chance, fly with them. All it takes is once and you'll be hooked. All other in-flight accomodations by other airlines will pale in comparison.

Also heard in news today Frontier is going to start offering 24 free satellite TV channels on thier flights soon, joining jetBlue in offering free Sat. TV to passengers.

Just a BUMP for you morning viewers.Hey Radivil and Alpha, hoping you all will consider updating your current Midwest Express and Skyway liveries for the default MD-83 and Mike Stone ERJ-145.Rick

Hope they keep offering the cookies....a great little carrier-not bad for something that started as a corporate flight departmentTimothy