Sitting and waiting, there was a small commotion at the x-ray machine, with several TSA officials playing 'stacks on the mill' (similar to a grid iron tackle, with more people piling on top) with someone trying to get through. Several delays and hours later, we clambered aboard the Airbus, swathed with decals of the Italian world cup team. Settling into the seats, discover that they collapse readily, making the reclining mechanism entirely superfluous. For the sake of those behind, hoping this does not occur during meals.

And extraordinarily long taxi later and we're in the air, praying the rest of the plane is rather more mechanically sound than the seats. Happily it is - and there's an excellent tail wind pushing us along. Meals, insofar as airline food goes, are excellent, and we shall be recommending them for inclusion in AbeBook's 'Best Loved Airline Meals' next edition.

The Bologna airport is still under some construction and after descending the steps wheeled up to the plane (which always feels particularly Presidential), we board the waiting bus to be ferried to the main terminal. The bus ride is rapid, though rather scenic, taking five minutes or so. Debarking, notice that we've actually taken the long way around and the plane we recently departed is, in fact, parked a scant twenty meters (sixty feet) away.

Learned not to take taxis, as they are considered a luxury transport and priced accordingly. The bus is five euros per person, and stops at the main train station in Bologna, quite close to the hotel.