British Airways cabin crew will stage a 12-day strike over Christmas from December 22 to January the 2nd, causing travel chaos for up to one million passengers.

More than nine out of ten union members balloted backed the strike action. It is estimated that the strikes will cost BA around £50m a day, or as much as £300m for the full 12 days.

The strike is over jobs, pay and working conditions. BA chief executive Willy Walsh has branded the move "senseless".

BA reported record losses of £401m last year and is estimated to be losing £1.5m a day.