British Airways will only be able to operate a little more than half of its flights from Heathrow, despite a cabin crew strike being ruled illegal by the High Court.
The carrier said the last-minute ruling came too late for planes to be reinstated in schedules.
The High Court ruled the strike as illegal as Unite failed to tell its members how many ballot papers had been spoilt.
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However, the union has stated its intention to launch legal proceedings later today.
Although BA avoided the strike, it is likely that another ballot will take place, suggesting further strike action in the busy summer period.
BA apologised to customers whose travel plans would be affected, with chief executive Willie Walsh labeling the strike "unjustified".
The airline and union had been in talks at Acas on Monday to try to find a way forward on disagreements over BA's cost-cutting measures, which include the removal of staff travel privileges for some who had partaken in previous strikes.
In his ruling, Mr Justice McCombe said: "I am unable to say it is sufficiently clear that the union took the steps required by law at the time they were required."
The first strike had been scheduled to begin on Tuesday, ending on May 22, with the three other strikes planned to begin on May 24, May 30 and June 5.
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