Ryanair has allowed a union to represent their British pilots, meaning they will be able to negotiate for better working conditions.
It means UK pilots can ask for more pay, better hours and more holiday.
The changes affect 600 pilots, which makes up a quarter of all Ryanair’s pilots across Europe.
Balpa will not represent the pilots, and the British Airline Pilots’ Association has signed a voluntary trade union recognition agreement.
Ryanair has previously been reluctant to deal with unions.
Owner Michael O’Leary once said “hell will freeze over” before the company recognised the need for such measures.
However, now the company has revealed its pilots will be represented by the union, and be given a 20 per cent pay rise.
Balpa’s general secretary, Brian Strutton, said: “Given Ryanair’s previous hostility towards unions, today’s agreement is a historic one.
“While we were initially sceptical about Ryanair’s sincerity in offering recognition to us and other unions, our conversations and meetings with them have shown that they are genuine in wanting a constructive trade union relationship.
“I am hopeful that this is the beginning of a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between Balpa and Ryanair, and I urge Ryanair to agree deals with pilot unions in other countries and with cabin crew unions.”
Ryanair recently brought into effect its new hand luggage restrictions.
Passengers who take hand luggage could now face extra charges without realising.
Airlines that still allow free hand luggage are British Airways and EasyJet.
Ryanair is to launch a new fleet of aircraft including the Boeing 727 Max, which allows more passengers and more overhead locker space.
This comes at a price as the bathrooms of the Boeing aircraft have been deemed too small for passengers to wash their hands.
Flight attendants at American Airlines first reported the problem according to the LA Times.
