OK this is back of a fag packet stuff but it is what I am working on. Please feel free to correct if anyone thinks I am way out.
Pension is money purchase - equates to 9% of basic pay (£44k x 9%=approx £4200 pa at the outset)
This will accrue in a pension pot over, lets say 22 years (ages 38-60), at a compound interest of 5% to a princely sum of around £150k to £200k by retirement. With this sum you should be able to take 25% as a tax free lump sum and use the remainder to purchase an annuity. Presently £100k will buy you a £6k pa pension(ish) til the day you croak.
Of course none of this is guaranteed, your pension pot may be worth zilch or a lot more. And of course the risk is all on the individual not the company pension fund.
In summary I've no idea how much the gold plated BA pension is after 22 years , but I bet it is a lot better than £10k (ish) pa, hence the debate!
Hope this helps - I'm no expert, this is just my guesstimate of the situation.