Pilots who face joblessness because of Covid-19 may be given temporary roles in the Royal Air Force.
For years Britain's air force has sent pilots to fly with British Airways following their fighting careers.
The huge down-turn in the commercial aviation industry triggered by the coronavirus could see the relationship reversed.
The pilots' union BALPA is in talks with the RAF to send BA pilots into training for roles in the air force.
They could spend up to four years converting from flying passenger aircraft to military planes.
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"The RAF will select individuals based on suitability, including background, relevant experience, and qualifications," a BALPA memo to BA pilots read, Mail Online reported.
"BALPA has entered urgent negotiations with British Airways about its proposed job losses and the company has yet to justify the scale of its planned cuts.
"We will fight to save as many of those jobs as we can."
The RAF may begin to use pilots without a military background unlike before the lockdown.
The agreement is subject to BA welcoming the pilot back once the secondments are completed.
The union's memo went on: "The success of any scheme like this will be dependent on BA's willingness to negotiate suitable terms with BALPA."
In April BA said it might have to make 12,000 employees redundant, including more than 1,100 pilots.
BALPA is also in talks with GKN Aerospace, British Aerospace and Ascent about potential placements.
One pilot who has undergone a forced career change is Aaron Leventhal.
After losing his job with Flybe having spent £100,000 on pilot's training, the 36-year-old decided to become a delivery driver to keep the UK's shops full of vital supplies.
"When Flybe went into administration I saw a job advertised as a truck driver to take deliveries to supermarkets, they were desperate for staff to help keep the shelves full during the lockdown," he told The National.
"I just wanted to do my bit to help, the real heroes are the NHS workers on the frontline. I feel a sense of pride being able to help though."
