@S1E
Washington was dropped on the A330 in favour of a leased Icelandair B757
Did you ever work for Tony Bliar? That's quite a spin to put on things!
The 330s were specc'd for ORD: fact.
They were ordered with First, Business and 107 Economy.
The First cabin was huge: I recall asking Roger M******k who the f**k had come up with this great plan when he showed me the drawings. At that time every other operator on the Atlantic was getting rid of First or downsizing.
Not bmi.
Nevertheless, having established a longhaul operation from MAN with a feed from LHR it was utter folly to drop it.