The resourcefulness of Aeroflot supervisor Jeremy Spake is tested when he realises one of his flights is considerably overbooked. Meanwhile animal health officer Stuart King has a close encounter with a spitting cobra, and there's a surprise for immigration officer Rob Scott when he interviews a Brazilian passenger who has been refused entry to Switzerland and France.

It's nighttime at Heathrow, but there's no sleep for animal health officer Stuart King as he tries to cope with 4,000 budgerigars. Meanwhile, beds are needed for an Albanian family seeking political asylum and the press turn out for the return from America of Louise Woodward.

Jeremy Spake is in celebratory mood as a brand new plane joins the Aeroflot fleet, and a grubby passport arouses the suspicions of the immigration officers.