Ahh! Breakfast of champions! The afforemntioned ridiculously cheap pre-paid rate at the Hilton also included their buffet breakfast, which Willard thought would make a very good start to the day, however it would appear that the restaurant staff also thought this was far too good a deal, and some clarification was required. (note to Hilton management: Guests should not have to bring their booking confirmation printout down to the restaurant in the morning in order to get the benefits they have paid for in the rate!)

As we arrive (again) at Terminal 3, this is the check-in queue we have bypassed! Such a shame that all of these innovative services (thanks Brian!) will soon be lost (like tears, in rain...) when the bmi transatlantic services cease in April.

Willard checks into the Terminal 3 bmi business/diamond club lounge, whilst the staff confirm that Bears count as valid guests for customers travelling in "the Business".

I'd been telling Willard for weeks that he woud end up on a bmi A330 again today, but now, finally, he believes me!

Settled in the Diamond Club lounge, Willard relaxes before the flight is called. Another innovative feature of the long-haul services from Manchester is that we will be collected from the lounge by a member of bmi staff and walked in a long procession (much like a secondary school trip to the swimming pools) from the lounge to the gate.