Some British Airways cabin crew began a 2 week strike Saturday in a prolonged pay dispute, risking further brand damage and travel disruption, although the airline said most passengers would be able to fly. Members of BA's "mixed fleet" cabin crew - those who work on both long and short-haul flights - have been in conflict with BA since last year over wage offers which the Unite trade union has described as "poverty pay". Although the pay dispute has largely been resolved, Unite said the walkout, the longest industrial action in the row, is a response to sanctions on union members involved in previous industrial action. While the impact on flights is set to be limited, the stand-off is another potential threat to the airline's image a little over a month after thousands of passengers were stranded by a computer systems outage. <br/>
oneworld
US carriers are hoping to improve the on-board atmosphere with something that puts a smile on most faces: free booze and better food. American Airlines announced that it has begun to offer free spirits to passengers in the economy sections on international flights to and from Japan. That means that frustrated fliers can order vodka, whiskey, gin and other hard drinks on those flights in addition to the beer and wine that was previously offered free of charge. The carrier has for over a year offered free spirits to economy fliers on international flights to and from Sydney, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. The expansion comes as spirits sales continue to grow in the US, increasing to US$25.2b in 2016 and stealing market share for 7 straight years from beer. <br/>