British Airways is considering proposals to award unlimited first-class travel to its non-executive directors, a spokeswoman for the airline confirmed on Jan. 30.

The news comes after BA fended off a threatened two-day strike earlier by hammering out a last-minute deal with unions that awarded a two-year wage rise to cabin crew worth 4.6 percent this year, followed by a hike in line with inflation next year.

"There is a proposal that exists, but it's not yet been agreed or implemented," the spokeswoman told AFP, referring to a report in a recent edition of The Times.

According to The Times, non-executive directors will be able to reserve free, first-class tickets to any destination in the world, as opposed to the previous system which gave them "high priority" for the most expensive seats.

The daily said BA company secretary Alan Buchanan received an email from the airline's department dealing with internal manager rewards titled "Non-Executive Director Travel".

The email read: "With immediate effect all BA business and personal travel will be on a commercial basis in premium cabins. Travel will be first (longhaul), with option to go into club if F not available."

Club class is BA's business class. The email continued: "New arrangements will apply to the individual, spouse/partner and children under 18 years. Unlimited number of tickets per annum. Costs will be charged to the chairman's budget."

The Times reported that the negotiations were taking place earlier, when BA management was also involved in discussions with the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) to avert a strike.

"We have got an airline to run," the BA spokeswoman said. "Business must go on. There's been lots of discussion that's been ongoing throughout the threatened strike."