Check-in staff had threatened to strike

A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers Union said the pay offer was backed by most workers.

A BA spokesman said the company would ensure the three-year deal lasted.

A strike planned for the August Bank Holiday was called off on 21 August after union leaders agreed to the deal, which matched inflation.

Pay deal

TGWU spokesman Brendan Gold said: "We look forward to making sure that the company takes advantage of the next three years to build the business and ensure that with the stability we have negotiated comes security."

The deal was backed by two to one by baggage handlers and three to one by check-in and sales staff, he said.

On 21 August, the airline agreed an 8.5% pay increase over three years as well as �1,000 in three lump sum payments to September 2006.

Despite the deal, more than 90 flights were cancelled in the week before the August Bank Holiday weekend due to technical problems and staff shortages.

The problems forced BA chief executive Rod Eddington to admit the company "got it wrong" after the cuts left thousands of passengers stranded.

The delays and cancellations began on Monday, August 23 and continued throughout the week.