BA directors fly first class on fat cat fares

British Airways has offered senior directors unlimited free first class travel anywhere in the world in a move which will cost the company tens of thousands of pounds.

Embarrassingly, the pledge was made during the height of negotiations with union chiefs threatening to strike over pay and working conditions.

It has plunged the airline - which said it wants to build a "new relationship of trust" with the unions - into fresh controversy.

The perk is revealed in an internal BA memo entitled Non-Executive Director Travel. It states: "With immediate effect all BA business and personal travel will be on a commercial basis in premium cabins."

It continues: "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."

Ed Blissett, for the GMB union which represents thousands of low-paid BA staff, said: "The management are more interested in feathering their nests than offering low-paid workers a fair wage."

The Transport and General Workers' Union, which called eight days of strike action in the now-settled cabin crew dispute, declined to comment.

BA said the perks had yet to be agreed by the main board.