Jul 20, 2019, 3:27 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
Quick answers to FAQ:
Help! What do I do now?
Most importantly, don't panic and don't do anything in haste. Read these FAQ. Read the thread, particularly the posts starting from the time that the strike dates were announced. Identify your options. Think about what works for you. Then take action. If you do anything in haste, you may have thrown away good options, or you may have thrown away money that you needn't have spent.
NOTE: Some emails have been sent out by mistake notifying the cancellation of flights on 8 September and other dates. If your booking still looks OK in MMB then you don't need to take further action. A cancelled flight should be shown in MMB with struck-through text. If your flight details are not struck through, then it probably hasn't actually been cancelled. You could check ba.com to see whether BA is still taking reservations for the flight in question. If so, then the flight has not been cancelled. You may also try checking on ExpertFlyer, if you have access, to see whether your flight appears still to be operating and whether BA is still taking reservations. However, some afternoon/evening flights on 8 September have genuinely been cancelled. See main thread for details.
Has a strike been called yet?
Yes. BALPA, the pilots' union, has voted in favour of strike action, and the Court of Appeal has rejected BA's submission to have the poll set aside, so the legal process is now over. The two parties went back into talks after the legal proceedings and those talks were expected to continue into the week of 5 August.
BALPA on 23 Aug announced strikes on Monday 9 September Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September.
Any further strikes normally require 2 weeks notice under UK legislation.
What flights may be affected?
LHR and LGW based flights. Not LCY or STN flights. Both cabin and flight crew are in dispute with BA, but the pilots (captains, senior first officers, first officers) are closest to strike action.
How long would a strike last?
The initial strikes are for two days the a single day, with normal working in between. Any other strikes could be of any length. It would be rare in the UK for there to be a full time strike.
What would happen to my flights if it is a strike day?
A range of options have been announced, see post 1551 below for more information: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...l#post31451055
and BA Trade Site guidance here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=7594
Rebooking is now allowed on Iberia, AA, Finnair, JAL and Qatar. Within Europe EI and Vueling are also allowed. This is for both revenue and redemption flights.
and the FAQ on BA.com here (this includes information on BA Holidays bookings which are substantially different): https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...st-information
Can I do anything with an existing booking now?
Yes. Your options are different depending on whether your flights are currently showing as cancelled or not. See the links above.
What about Heathrow staff - aren't their strikes planned there too?
Yes there is a separate dispute at the moment between Heathrow Airport (HAL) and their staff such as those who operate the security checkpoints. See the separate thread on the issue.
Am I protected by EC261 if there is a problem?
You are always covered by the Right to Care provisions of Regulation EC261. You could potentially be able to claim compensation for delays, cancellations and downgrades caused by BA staff action too, but not for HAL strikes (for cancellations only if there is flight is less than 14 day’s notice). See the main EC261 thread in the BA Forum Dashboard.
Help! What do I do now?
Most importantly, don't panic and don't do anything in haste. Read these FAQ. Read the thread, particularly the posts starting from the time that the strike dates were announced. Identify your options. Think about what works for you. Then take action. If you do anything in haste, you may have thrown away good options, or you may have thrown away money that you needn't have spent.
NOTE: Some emails have been sent out by mistake notifying the cancellation of flights on 8 September and other dates. If your booking still looks OK in MMB then you don't need to take further action. A cancelled flight should be shown in MMB with struck-through text. If your flight details are not struck through, then it probably hasn't actually been cancelled. You could check ba.com to see whether BA is still taking reservations for the flight in question. If so, then the flight has not been cancelled. You may also try checking on ExpertFlyer, if you have access, to see whether your flight appears still to be operating and whether BA is still taking reservations. However, some afternoon/evening flights on 8 September have genuinely been cancelled. See main thread for details.
Has a strike been called yet?
Yes. BALPA, the pilots' union, has voted in favour of strike action, and the Court of Appeal has rejected BA's submission to have the poll set aside, so the legal process is now over. The two parties went back into talks after the legal proceedings and those talks were expected to continue into the week of 5 August.
BALPA on 23 Aug announced strikes on Monday 9 September Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September.
Any further strikes normally require 2 weeks notice under UK legislation.
What flights may be affected?
LHR and LGW based flights. Not LCY or STN flights. Both cabin and flight crew are in dispute with BA, but the pilots (captains, senior first officers, first officers) are closest to strike action.
How long would a strike last?
The initial strikes are for two days the a single day, with normal working in between. Any other strikes could be of any length. It would be rare in the UK for there to be a full time strike.
What would happen to my flights if it is a strike day?
A range of options have been announced, see post 1551 below for more information: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...l#post31451055
and BA Trade Site guidance here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=7594
Rebooking is now allowed on Iberia, AA, Finnair, JAL and Qatar. Within Europe EI and Vueling are also allowed. This is for both revenue and redemption flights.
and the FAQ on BA.com here (this includes information on BA Holidays bookings which are substantially different): https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...st-information
Can I do anything with an existing booking now?
Yes. Your options are different depending on whether your flights are currently showing as cancelled or not. See the links above.
What about Heathrow staff - aren't their strikes planned there too?
Yes there is a separate dispute at the moment between Heathrow Airport (HAL) and their staff such as those who operate the security checkpoints. See the separate thread on the issue.
Am I protected by EC261 if there is a problem?
You are always covered by the Right to Care provisions of Regulation EC261. You could potentially be able to claim compensation for delays, cancellations and downgrades caused by BA staff action too, but not for HAL strikes (for cancellations only if there is flight is less than 14 day’s notice). See the main EC261 thread in the BA Forum Dashboard.
LHR/LGW pilots (BALPA) industrial action 9 Sep, 10 Sep, and 27 Sep
Jul 12, 2019, 9:59 am
#316
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 125
BA statement:
“British Airways, which has the majority of operations at Heathrow, says it plans to operate as normal.
A BA spokesperson said: “Heathrow airport have assured us that they will have robust contingency plans in place to avoid any disruption to travellers.”
“British Airways, which has the majority of operations at Heathrow, says it plans to operate as normal.
A BA spokesperson said: “Heathrow airport have assured us that they will have robust contingency plans in place to avoid any disruption to travellers.”
Jul 12, 2019, 10:01 am
#317
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
BA statement:
“British Airways, which has the majority of operations at Heathrow, says it plans to operate as normal.
A BA spokesperson said: “Heathrow airport have assured us that they will have robust contingency plans in place to avoid any disruption to travellers.”
“British Airways, which has the majority of operations at Heathrow, says it plans to operate as normal.
A BA spokesperson said: “Heathrow airport have assured us that they will have robust contingency plans in place to avoid any disruption to travellers.”
Jul 12, 2019, 10:29 am
#319
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
And there's more: 4,000 Heathrow workers, Unite members, with strikes announced for 26/27 July and 5/6, 23/24 August. "could poternitally shut down the airport."
https://unitetheunion.org/news-event...n-pay-dispute/
https://unitetheunion.org/news-event...n-pay-dispute/
Jul 15, 2019, 9:24 am
#320
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,103
I have nothing against people striking but I do think that they should be accountable for their actions, and any 3rd party who is affected should be allowed to seek compensation from those sttiking causing them financial loses or stress This is for any situation not just this one.
Sure, bring on financial extortion to intimidate people you think are indentured servants. You submit first, to those you serve. I'll be waiting, in the travel industry, for your payments that I think I'm owed under your scheme.
Jul 15, 2019, 9:31 am
#321
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,367
I wonder what the implications of this are. Wonder if there are ground crew to get people alighted from an A380 or not... I'm due to land LHR on 6th August (was hoping to miss the BA strike by a day, might have failed elsewhere!) and will certainly only go with hand luggage now.
Jul 17, 2019, 1:57 am
#322
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 166
Hi all
I have a flight to Santiago (CW 2-4-1 redemption) that will potentially be hit if a strike goes ahead (it departs just over 2 weeks after the pilots ballot).
It's critical that we arrive in Santiago within 24 hrs of our scheduled flight (which arrives Fri morning) as we have onward transfers to a fairly remote ski resort that only depart on a Saturday so if our BA flight is cancelled I want to be pro-active in getting BA to re-book us on another carrier.
What's our best course of action if/when we find our flight is affected? Call the silver line (I'd presume there would be a lot of callers) or go to Heathrow and speak to an agent (I live in central London so that wouldn't be a big issue)?
I have a flight to Santiago (CW 2-4-1 redemption) that will potentially be hit if a strike goes ahead (it departs just over 2 weeks after the pilots ballot).
It's critical that we arrive in Santiago within 24 hrs of our scheduled flight (which arrives Fri morning) as we have onward transfers to a fairly remote ski resort that only depart on a Saturday so if our BA flight is cancelled I want to be pro-active in getting BA to re-book us on another carrier.
What's our best course of action if/when we find our flight is affected? Call the silver line (I'd presume there would be a lot of callers) or go to Heathrow and speak to an agent (I live in central London so that wouldn't be a big issue)?
Jul 17, 2019, 2:01 am
#323
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,869
Hi all
I have a flight to Santiago (CW 2-4-1 redemption) that will potentially be hit if a strike goes ahead (it departs just over 2 weeks after the pilots ballot).
It's critical that we arrive in Santiago within 24 hrs of our scheduled flight (which arrives Fri morning) as we have onward transfers to a fairly remote ski resort that only depart on a Saturday so if our BA flight is cancelled I want to be pro-active in getting BA to re-book us on another carrier.
What's our best course of action if/when we find our flight is affected? Call the silver line (I'd presume there would be a lot of callers) or go to Heathrow and speak to an agent (I live in central London so that wouldn't be a big issue)?
I have a flight to Santiago (CW 2-4-1 redemption) that will potentially be hit if a strike goes ahead (it departs just over 2 weeks after the pilots ballot).
It's critical that we arrive in Santiago within 24 hrs of our scheduled flight (which arrives Fri morning) as we have onward transfers to a fairly remote ski resort that only depart on a Saturday so if our BA flight is cancelled I want to be pro-active in getting BA to re-book us on another carrier.
What's our best course of action if/when we find our flight is affected? Call the silver line (I'd presume there would be a lot of callers) or go to Heathrow and speak to an agent (I live in central London so that wouldn't be a big issue)?
How much spare capacity do you think there is to Santiago in August? Even a one-day strike would take 3-4 days to clear everyone, and this will not be a one day strike.
BA is flying 1 million passenger PER WEEK in August. Even if there were the seats elsewhere (there are not) who do you think is manually rebooking one million people?!
Jul 17, 2019, 2:03 am
#324
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
Hi all
I have a flight to Santiago (CW 2-4-1 redemption) that will potentially be hit if a strike goes ahead (it departs just over 2 weeks after the pilots ballot).
It's critical that we arrive in Santiago within 24 hrs of our scheduled flight (which arrives Fri morning) as we have onward transfers to a fairly remote ski resort that only depart on a Saturday so if our BA flight is cancelled I want to be pro-active in getting BA to re-book us on another carrier.
What's our best course of action if/when we find our flight is affected? Call the silver line (I'd presume there would be a lot of callers) or go to Heathrow and speak to an agent (I live in central London so that wouldn't be a big issue)?
I have a flight to Santiago (CW 2-4-1 redemption) that will potentially be hit if a strike goes ahead (it departs just over 2 weeks after the pilots ballot).
It's critical that we arrive in Santiago within 24 hrs of our scheduled flight (which arrives Fri morning) as we have onward transfers to a fairly remote ski resort that only depart on a Saturday so if our BA flight is cancelled I want to be pro-active in getting BA to re-book us on another carrier.
What's our best course of action if/when we find our flight is affected? Call the silver line (I'd presume there would be a lot of callers) or go to Heathrow and speak to an agent (I live in central London so that wouldn't be a big issue)?
I have already looked to see what the alternatives are.
I have talked to the other members of the group, so I know how much leeway I have vis-ŕ-vis leaving early etc.
Now I just have to wait and see what actually comes along and how BA are going the deal with it, and then dependant on that I will have tip-toed through the chaos, or I am right in the middle of it and have to try to action whichever of the plans B, C, D .... ZZZZ I have come up with suits me and BA to get around the chaos.
Jul 17, 2019, 2:04 am
#325
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Hi all
I have a flight to Santiago (CW 2-4-1 redemption) that will potentially be hit if a strike goes ahead (it departs just over 2 weeks after the pilots ballot).
It's critical that we arrive in Santiago within 24 hrs of our scheduled flight (which arrives Fri morning) as we have onward transfers to a fairly remote ski resort that only depart on a Saturday so if our BA flight is cancelled I want to be pro-active in getting BA to re-book us on another carrier.
What's our best course of action if/when we find our flight is affected? Call the silver line (I'd presume there would be a lot of callers) or go to Heathrow and speak to an agent (I live in central London so that wouldn't be a big issue)?
I have a flight to Santiago (CW 2-4-1 redemption) that will potentially be hit if a strike goes ahead (it departs just over 2 weeks after the pilots ballot).
It's critical that we arrive in Santiago within 24 hrs of our scheduled flight (which arrives Fri morning) as we have onward transfers to a fairly remote ski resort that only depart on a Saturday so if our BA flight is cancelled I want to be pro-active in getting BA to re-book us on another carrier.
What's our best course of action if/when we find our flight is affected? Call the silver line (I'd presume there would be a lot of callers) or go to Heathrow and speak to an agent (I live in central London so that wouldn't be a big issue)?
Jul 17, 2019, 2:21 am
#327
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,224
Jul 17, 2019, 2:25 am
#328
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Jul 17, 2019, 2:31 am
#330
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,224
Are you seriously asking me that? For starters I wouldn't have said, "you're not going if there is a strike, live with it" and secondly I would have actually offered some constructive advice which is what they came here for rather than just make them feel worse about the whole situation.
