British Airways facing irreversible impact from cabin crew strike?

British Airways (BA) is facing massive disruption over the peak Christmas/New Year period, as cabin crew represented by the Unite union voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action between 22-Dec-2009 and 02-Jan-2010. Even if the staff do not strike, the loss to BA will be extensive, as passengers cancel and buy tickets with rival carriers. Loss-making BA faces tens of millions of pounds in lost revenue, with up to several hundred million if the industrial action proceeds for the full 12 days. But the impact on the airline's coherence and brand may be irreversible.