A martini before a flight is a practical luxury. Not all of us are good flyers and a pre-departure ‘silver bullet’ can be just the ticket to set ourselves right.

Airport lounges are also normally ideal settings for a martini. They are comfortable, relaxing, usually sophisticated and fragrant with the air of possibility; strangers heading to myriad potential destinations all taking a moment to unwind before their journey.

Martini Socialism might view an airport lounge as elitist, but a lot of them can be very affordable, and certainly worth the rest, food and refreshments.

We’ve just got one problem.

Despite having all the ingredients for a good martini, most of them don’t serve them, or, if they are self-service, they lack the facilities to make your own.

We have to make do with prosecco, bloody marys or gin and tonics.

It’s obviously still lovely, but it feels like a massively missed opportunity for the pinnacle of luxury before a flight: an elixir of quietude before lifting into the skies.

My highly skilled, creative and all-round bon vivant neighbour flies internationally with work on a regular basis. The accumulation of air miles has afforded him access to many a lounge.

However, on numerous visitations to British Airways lounges, while he found excellent service and a pleasant atmosphere, he was never able to find the means to enjoy a martini.

The business class lounges with BA, which are all self-service, have the necessary ingredients, but they lack the proper glassware.

This time, however, on a flight from London to Seattle (nine long hours in economy), he knew he was going to need something strong before departure.

As such, he carefully packed a martini glass in his carry-on luggage, as well as an exquisite, antique skewer given to him by his dry-martini fan grandmother. This was all absolutely fine with security.

Upon arrival at the relatively quiet and lesser-known B-gate British Airways lounge at Heathrow Terminal Five, he got to work.

“I grabbed a high ball, filled it with ice, waved the bottle of vermouth in its general direction and filled it up with gin. I then stirred it with a teaspoon and poured, garnishing it with three olives.”

Unfortunately the cleaners kept trying to take the drink away, not registering that (a) it was unfinished or (b) that the glass and priceless skewer were not BA property. Improvements are obviously required.

The buffet allowed for a generous serving of accompanying nibbles which makes up for things somewhat. But can classic martinis please become standard service in airport lounges? Some of us really need it before a flight…

One point of note – you really need to be sensible with your alcohol intake at all times, but especially before a flight. You are not only responsible for yourself, but your fellow passengers, crew and anyone else involved in flying you to your destination. Know your limits and don’t test them in the air.

Otherwise, you can try taking your own glassware to the airport, and if you’re packing any more in your hold luggage, you can use these tips as well.

Bon voyage!