Cabin crew union Unite has told British Airways that it has until June 29 to settle the long-running dispute between the two or face the consequences of a summer strike action ballot.

Talks have repeatedly failed between the union and BA management and even conciliation service Acas has failed to resolve the dispute, which now hinges on restoring travel perks taken away from strikers back in March.

Chief executive Willie Walsh has always stood firm against the industrial action that has plagued holidaymakers this spring, training up BA staff to replace cabin crew who have walked out.

Now Walsh and his team must decide whether their commitment to make BA a stronger airline and not susceptible to constant strike action is worth turning millions of passengers off the airline.

If a ballot goes ahead, it will open on Tuesday and could pave the way for strikes as early as the start of August.