thanks for the extra info everyone. Can get £2300 for BA in J (incl 5 nights hotel) thro Wexas, which I might go for, but still tempted to try AY for the fun of a stopover in either HEL or BKK - taking the risk of Arizona sundrenched MD-11s and light food.

doing the LIS thing sounds like a good idea when I can afford the time...but the expenses police will definitely start asking questions.

Cheers