In a separate dispute, Unite said that baggage handlers and check-in staff employed by SAS Ground Services planned to walk out on Dec. 22, Dec. 26 and Jan. 3. That stoppage would hit travelers on Turkish, Emirates and Thai airlines at London Heathrow and KLM, Air France, Wideroe and Atlantic at Aberdeen.

Kevin Hall, Unite's regional industrial officer said the timing — both over Christmas and in conjunction with the planned BA walkout — was unfortunate, but in no way orchestrated. Hall said that the union had been "trying to get this company to move on a fair wage deal for months now."