Crews have until 22 July to vote in a strike ballot, which means the earliest date they are able to organise stoppages will be 5 August, well into the summer peak.
Pilots have rejected an 11.5% pay offer over three years, which union Balpa says is justified, as the airline made £1.96 billion last year. However, BA has since been hit with a £183 million fine for data breaches.
Conciliation service Acas is now involved in negotiations, with Unite and GMB unions already recommending the offer.
BA said: “We are pleased that the Unite and GMB trade unions, which represent nearly 90% of all British Airways colleagues, have agreed to recommend our fair and generous pay offer.
“We urge Balpa to also come to an agreement to protect hard-working families planning their summer breaks.”
