LONDON- British Airways (BA) pilots have narrowly voted against a pay restructuring proposal put forward by the IAG-owned carrier.

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) confirmed the outcome, with just under 51% of members opposing the airline’s plan to overhaul pilot compensation and career structures.

The rejected proposal included a pay rise of up to 4% but came with cuts to pension contributions and a reduction in the hourly Flying Pay Supplement.

BALPA stated that an existing pay deal remains in place for 2026 and that it intends to hold further discussions with British Airways (BA) based on member feedback, Sky News reported.

British Airways Pilots Vote Against Pay Restructuring

The vote highlights growing friction between British Airways and its pilot workforce. While the airline offered a modest headline wage increase of up to 4%, the broader package included changes that many pilots viewed as unfavorable.

Cuts to pension contributions and a lower hourly Flying Pay Supplement effectively offset the proposed pay rise in the eyes of a majority of voters.

BALPA communicated the democratic decision to British Airways and confirmed plans for continued negotiations. The union said in an emailed statement to Reuters that it will hold further talks with the company based on the feedback received from its members.

An existing pay agreement already covers 2026, giving both sides a window to renegotiate terms before the current deal expires.

A British Airways spokesperson acknowledged the outcome and said the airline will review the feedback before determining next steps. The spokesperson confirmed that the company will continue working with BALPA on the matter.

Pilot Concerns Over Pay and Conditions

The narrow rejection reflects broader unrest among British Airways pilots. Approximately 4,000 union-represented pilots, accounting for about 80% of the total pilot workforce, have raised concerns in recent weeks.

Many pilots view the proposed changes as an attempt to pressure them into accepting reduced pay and conditions under the cover of a headline wage increase.

BALPA represents 85% of all pilots across the United Kingdom. The union’s influence gives its ballot outcomes significant weight in shaping the direction of future negotiations between pilots and their employers.

What Comes Next for British Airways and BALPA

Both British Airways (BA) and BALPA have signaled willingness to continue discussions. The airline now faces the task of revising its proposal to address the concerns raised by pilots, particularly around pension contributions and the Flying Pay Supplement.

The existing 2026 pay deal provides stability in the short term, but the underlying tensions around long-term career structures remain unresolved.

The slim margin of the vote suggests that the pilot workforce is closely divided on the issue. Any revised proposal from British Airways (BA) will need to strike a careful balance between cost management and pilot satisfaction to secure union approval.

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