British Airways has pledged to fly more than 70% of its customers once new strikes begin.
An airline spokesman said contingency plans are being implemented immediately following this morning’s High Court action when Unite, which represents up to 90% of BA cabin crew, won the appeal against Monday’s court order that the strike was illegal.
Cabin crew could walk out as early as tonight.
The spokesman said: “We are very disappointed for our customers that Unite’s appeal has been upheld and that the union intends to go ahead with its unjustified and pointless strikes.
“We will implement our contingency plan to keep British Airways flying. We are confident that thousands of cabin crew will ignore Unite’s strike call and help us fly more than 70% of the customers who were booked to fly with us in the period targeted.
“We will run a full programme at Gatwick and London City. At Heathrow, we will operate more than 60% of our long-haul operation and more than 50% of short haul.
“Unite’s strikes have failed twice and they will fail again.
“We have put forward a very fair offer that addresses the concerns Unite has raised over the last 15 months. We believe cabin crew would accept it if it was put to them in a fair and secret ballot.”