Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the staggered agreement, believed to apply to 16,000 workers including cabin crew, engineers and baggage handlers, “goes some way” to restoring pre-pandemic levels.

Although BA still has “a long way to go to restore the trust and confidence” of its workforce, Graham added.

The deal sees staff receiving 5% rises in August and September and a further 3% increase in December.

The new payment agreement follows Unite-backed industrial action for check-in staff earlier this summer, with a deal struck after “tough negotiations”, according to Unite.

Graham said: "By standing strong with Unite, our members have compelled BA to table a pay rise that goes toward compensating for the pay cuts suffered during the pandemic.

"There is still some way to go for workers at BA to trust this company again, given the hostile manner in which they conducted themselves during the pandemic. Once again, Unite’s focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions has delivered for our members."