I had this experience as well, and it was certainly not an equipment change at all.

I should add, bmi staff at MAN were excellent and outshone the BA (Menzies) employee who rudely told me I was at the wrong desk when I arrived to check-in - I had not realised the check-in at MAN was separate for BA flights operated by bmi.

Lounge was also excellent compared to the BA lounge that I always find a bit of a greenhouse. Sadly, I was told it too was to be closed.