We ran the test because it’s important to see if we can deliver it in terms of space in the galley.

It’s complicated though. If you are Gold sitting in a B or E seat for instance (a middle seat on short haul), and you’re not with anybody, and then cabin crew offer you a free drink, that could create an uncomfortable situation for some people, so we have to manage the process. Maybe if you’re a Gold passenger, there’s a swipe of your card but there’s no charge. It’s not a control mechanism, more a recognition that not everyone wants to boast about being a Gold passenger and not care about the passenger on either side of them.

Is it worth spending Ł1,000 to upgrade a basic flight ticket to a seat in premium economy? Not if you are on a British Airways flight from Costa Rica to London, according to one Guardian Money reader angry at the quality he got for his money.

[The passengers] spent Ł1,940 to upgrade to premium economy for a trip to South America...

On the return leg to London only three out of eight or nine toilets on the BA flight were functioning, so he and his wife spent much of their time in a queue. He claims that the cabin was so cold it made sleep all but impossible.

He was expecting better quality food than in economy, but he says it was “inedible”. To add further insult, he says entertainment system failed to work properly.

"The captain apparently told a lady in business class that, had we been flying over land, he would have made an intermediate landing to get the problem dealt with. We had paid a large sum extra and we feel totally ripped off,” he says.

“Your case has been reviewed several times by different agents and our duty managers and I’m afraid our response won’t change. The gesture we’ve offered is above our guidelines as the original agent that assessed your case recognised how unhappy you were and used her discretion to increase the amount. Unfortunately, this is the highest amount that we’re able to offer and I’m sorry you still remain unhappy with this.”

My BA flight to Barcelona was delayed by over three hours due to damage to an aircraft door. Although I flew with my family, we were on two separate bookings.

BA first claimed we were not due compensation because the damage was “an extraordinary circumstance” and therefore exempt under EC rules.

After I pointed out such damage is not exempted, BA agreed I was due Ł220 because of the delay (I am an Executive Club member) but my wife and two children (who are not) have been denied.

When I queried this, customer relations claimed that the delay due to the damaged doors was 178 minutes, two minutes under the threshold for compensation, and the remaining delay was to do with the airport and counted as “extraordinary”.

It then told me that because of this not only were my wife and children not due compensation, my claim had been approved in error.

You were eligible for the promised payout, it decided, but a “routine check” to ensure “exceptional service” showed the transfer had not been correctly processed and might not have been received.