I flew LHR to LAX yesterday in Club World. It was worse than I had imagined. I was provided with 30 pounds in vouchers to buy food in the airport (terminal 1). The pret a manger (sandwhich shop) was closed for 45 minutes waiting for a re-stock (all the BA passengers are hungry I guess). I waited in line for 30 minutes at the caviar/seafood place to order food then ran out of time and ended up spending the vouchers on a bottle of pinot grigio to go (figured I would drown my sorrows and numb the hunger pangs!!) They could not open the bottle for me in the terminal (legal reasons??) but said that BA should be able to open on board for me!

Raced to the lounge and grabbed 3 cans of beer for my troubles then raced to the gate (now only 15 mins left until take-off)

All passengers at the gate (economy/business/first) were handed a plastic bag and loaded up (resembled cattle!)

Once on board (upstairs) I approached the cabin crew and asked if they could please open my bottle SHOCK.........NO, they had no bottle openers on board, no refrigeration or ice either. I could not understand how they could not have a bottle opener, you would think that given the situation they would at the very least put one lousy bottle opener on board. There were several people who had brought wine on board hoping to serve themselves, NO CHANCE!!!! They showed me the galley and it was totally empty.

They had only warm bottled water, tea or coffee. I knew then that I was in for a rough one!! Anyhow, I am sure you are curious as to the contents of the mystery bag..........2 crackers, one wedge of laughing cow type cheese, one granola bar, one apple, one orange juice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am serious. It really was very dire and I realize that they are excusing themselves out of responsibility but I will say that it is unacceptable given the price I paid for my ticket that their lack of a contingency plan means that they shrug their shoulders and pass the blame and ultimately the passenger pays the price.

As for the vouchers, they were about as useful as a fist full of monoply money, given the situation in the airport. (think, virtually every passenger is runnning around with vouchers searching for food). Long lines and shops closed for re-stocking at 3:30p.m. A total mess.

Needless to say, excuses aside, I'll be taking my hard-earned $$$ to another airline in the future!!! I paid top dollar for services that I did not receive and I am very disappointed in their efforts to do anything for the passengers after a week. Surely they can do better then 2 crackers and a bag of chips for an 11 hour flight.

I strongly advise passengers to re-book on any other airline or at the least bring their own food, as the advise to eat before flying is difficult on a long haul flight. Bring screw-top bottles of wine (cheap, I know but desperate times call for desperate measures!!) The meal service does make the time go faster and the flight seemed MUCH LONGER and people were complaining and pacing around. Good luck to all!!!!