British Airways has said it is "disappointed" by the Unite union's decision to ballot 14,000 cabin crew about whether to take strike action.
Unions and management have been in talks since the announcement of cost-cutting measures earlier this month.
BA had said it would cut 1,700 jobs and freeze pay for current staff.
"Management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative," said Unite union boss Derek Simpson.