BALPA represents the views and interests of pilots, campaigning on contractual, legal and health issues affecting its members and the flying public.

[3] BALPA is one of the founder members of the International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA), which co-ordinates the views and opinions of well over 100,000 flight crew around the globe.

[6] BALPA is governed by an Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) made up of representatives of the Company Councils and a National Executive Committee (NEC) composed of elected pilots.

[8] In December 2023 it was announced that a new General Secretary was appointed following an "extensive and exhaustive recruitment process", resulting in the first woman to be elected into the role in BAPA's history.

BALPA is an active member of the A Fair Tax on Flying campaign, a coalition of more than 30 leading travel and aviation organisations including airlines, airports, trade associations and destinations who believe that APD is too high and is doing growing damage to jobs, growth and the UK economic recovery.

[25] BALPA members eventually accepted a deal that included a temporary 20% pay cut and a reduced number (270) of compulsory redundancies.