British Airways is considering proposals to award unlimited first-class travel to its non-executive directors, a spokeswoman for the airline confirmed with Agence France Presse.“There is a proposal that exists, but its not yet been agreed or implemented,” the spokeswoman told AFP, referring to a report in an early edition of The Times newspaper’s Wednesday edition.

According to The Times, non-executive directors will be able to reserve free, first-class tickets to any destination in the world, as opposed to the previous system which gave them “high priority” for the most expensive seats.

The daily said BA company secretary Alan Buchanan received an email from the airline’s department dealing with internal manager rewards titled “Non-Executive Director Travel”.

The email read: “With immediate effect all BA Business and Personal travel will be on a commercial basis in premium cabins. Travel will be First (longhaul), with option to go into Club if F not available.”

The email continued: “New arrangements will apply to the individual, spouse/partner and children under 18 years. Unlimited number of tickets per annum. Costs will be charged to the Chairman’s budget.”

The Times reported that the negotiations were taking place last Wednesday, when BA management was also involved in discussions with the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) to avert a strike.

“We have got an airline to run,” the BA spokeswoman said. “Business must go on. There’s been lots of discussion that’s been ongoing throughout the threatened strike.”
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