The heads of several big companies that called for a third runway at Heathrow are members of a select British Airways club of elite businessmen who receive special services from British Airways.

They are served by a team of BA staff who cater for their every need. Other passengers are sometimes bumped off flights to make way for them, according to a BA source. Staff meet members at the aircraft door to fast-track them through immigration and flights are sometimes held to ensure they make their connections.

The only way to become a member is by personal invitation from either Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA, or Martin Broughton, the chairman. No one can earn the right to join by frequent flying.

Members get a black Premier card and distinctive black luggage tags, which BA staff are trained to look out for.

A number of companies led by Premier cardholders were approached by BA and were amongst signatories to a joint statement last September that was influential in convincing the Government that the UK economy needed the new runway. It said: “Heathrow is vital for business. It offers the direct connections which make our companies globally successful . . . that’s why Heathrow needs a third runway built within strict environmental standards.”

Premier club members include Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of the global advertising company WPP, Paul Walsh, chief executive of the drinks company Diageo, and John Connolly, chief executive of Deloitte. All three companies signed.

Mr Sorrell said that he valued his Premier card: “They look after you very well. It’s the nearest thing you can come to having your own plane. If they have capacity, they will upgrade you from business to first.”

He made it clear that his possession of a Premier card had not affected WPP’s decision to sign the statement. “We wouldn’t have signed if we didn’t think corporately and personally it was good sense. I think the third runway is a good idea.”

Mr Connolly said his card had not affected Deloitte’s decision to sign. A Diageo spokesman said: “We have never supported any statement at the behest of BA.”

Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, called on companies that had signed the statement to say whether any of their directors or chairmen had Premier cards.

In a statement, BA said: "In common with very many companies, British Airways offers certain service enhancements for a small group of its highest-spending and most loyal customers. This is standard commercial practice. Our Premier Card system has been in place for decades."

The Times has also learnt that some leading businessmen involved in the runway debate doubt the claims of economic benefits but cannot speak publicly because their companies have business links with airlines or BAA.

Several senior members of London First questioned the rationale for a third runway and believed it was inappropriate for the business lobby group to support it. Baroness Valentine, its chief executive, admitted that some members had opposed the runway but said most had supported it. She said that she would not have accepted a Premier card.

Additional reporting by Simon Neville

Perks of the Premier club

— Members can get seats on full flights, meaning that someone else is bumped off

— Flights are held if a member’s connection is late

— Cardholders are met by BA staff at the door of the aircraft to be fast-tracked through immigration

— They get upgrades from business class to first and from economy to business

— They receive a contact number for “special services”, who will trace lost bags and fulfil special requests