London , England ( CNN ) -- British Airways carried out its threat Wednesday and stripped striking cabin crew members of their travel perks . Staff who joined the strike last weekend will now lose benefits including free and heavily discounted travel , BA said . `` Letters are going out to staff who took industrial action concerning staff travel , '' a statement from the airline said . `` Our cabin crew knew that if they took part in the strike they would lose their staff travel permanently . `` Staff travel offers heavily discounted travel to airline employees . This is a non-contractual perk that the company can withdraw at its discretion . '' BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh had threatened last week to take away the travel perks , which may have been one reason why some union staff agreed to work despite the strike last weekend . Are you worried about the strike ? The airline said Wednesday it is expanding its flight schedules this weekend ahead of a second round of strikes because more staff are willing to cross the picket lines . The planned four-day walkout follows the one last weekend by crews dissatisfied with pay , benefits and staffing levels . BA will be able to run a full operation from London 's Gatwick Airport and London City Airport this weekend because so many cabin crew members will be working as normal , the airline said in a statement late Tuesday . At London 's Heathrow Airport , BA will be able to run up to 55 percent of its short-haul flights and up to 70 percent of its long-haul flights , the airline said . `` As a result of the numbers of crew wanting to work , we are increasing significantly our flying schedule and will be operating a full schedule at Gatwick and London City airports , '' Walsh said in a statement . `` I would like to thank all our customers for their patience and support . I apologize to those whose flights will regrettably have to be canceled at Heathrow because of Unite 's continuing action . '' Unite is the union representing 95 percent of BA 's 15,000 cabin crew members . Passengers booked on flights that have been canceled by the strike will be offered seats on flights with BA or other airlines , or will be offered a full refund , the airline said . British Airways advised passengers to regularly check its Web site , www.ba.com , to see whether their flight is still operating . Passengers should contact British Airways or their travel agent instead of going to the airport if their flight has been canceled , BA advised . Advice for passengers . British Airways and Unite have been at odds for more than a year over changes the airline wants to make to cabin crew pay and work practices . BA says the changes will save the company more than 60 million pounds ( $ 90 million ) a year . Unite has said the plans , which call for longer work hours and less staffing , will damage customer service and the BA brand . In addition , stock analysts said BA has made clear it sees the action not only as a matter of money but who will run the airline -- management or the union .
BA carries out threat to strip striking cabin crew members of travel benefits . Staff who joined strike at weekend lose benefits such as free and discounted flights . Striking staff oppose ##s reorganization they say will mean staff cuts . BA says more flight schedules this weekend ahead of second round of strikes .