Unite has said “significant progress” has been made in moving towards Unite becoming the recognised union for British Airway’s mixed fleet cabin crew.

The development brings a positive closure to a chapter in relationships between the airline and the union which saw cabin crew challenge operational changes that they feared would destroy the airline’s reputation for world class customer care.

The mixed fleet crew, who work on certain BA routes, was brought in two years ago by the airline.

Since then, Unite has been working hard to build membership among the new crew and to harmonise relationships across the cabin crew family.

Following discussions between BA and the union, the airline has agreed that it will, henceforth recognise Unite for all negotiations on behalf of mixed fleet.

Announcing the news, Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey, who has been leading the discussions with BA on behalf of the union, said: “I am delighted to confirm that Unite will be signing a recognition agreement for BA’s mixed fleet.

”The union and the company are currently working positively together to put the finishing touches on the agreement.

“The discussions have been very constructive and I believe that the final agreement will be a real benefit to BA and to our members working on the mixed fleet.”

British Airways has approximately 12,000 cabin crew employees.