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
#1142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#1143
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Nashville,TN
Programs: AA Gold Elite
Posts: 601
We are flying Sept 5 in F on an AA award from LHR back to the US.
Crossing fingers until Friday August 23 that the strike is not called. I am willing to wait to be rebooked in F, but not sure about the friend going with me. I will not downgrade to economy and if one of us can still stay in F(it will be me!) and the other in Business so be it as long as I get a refund of miles from whatever downgrades occur. Or do I have a choice in this? That I am not sure about.
Fortunately I don't have to get back to the US quickly for once.
Our travel insurance does not cover a strike.
Crossing fingers until Friday August 23 that the strike is not called. I am willing to wait to be rebooked in F, but not sure about the friend going with me. I will not downgrade to economy and if one of us can still stay in F(it will be me!) and the other in Business so be it as long as I get a refund of miles from whatever downgrades occur. Or do I have a choice in this? That I am not sure about.
Fortunately I don't have to get back to the US quickly for once.
Our travel insurance does not cover a strike.
#1146
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Nashville, TN - BNA
Programs: Hilton Gold, WN RR
Posts: 1,818
Since the post from wage slave stating the 3rd is now the first potential strike date was written yesterday, we're probably into the 4th for the first potentially affected flights here in the USA.
Shoot. I'm flying back GLA-LHR-BNA on the 3rd.... was almost hoping for a free xtension in GLA on the part of my friends at BA.
Fingers crossed for those of you who still may be caught up in the madness.
Shoot. I'm flying back GLA-LHR-BNA on the 3rd.... was almost hoping for a free xtension in GLA on the part of my friends at BA.
Fingers crossed for those of you who still may be caught up in the madness.
#1147
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 5
Flying to Scotland in October
This situation is so stressful. My wife and I got a great deal on BA roundtrip tickets to Scotland October 4th through 14th more than seven months ago. Since then we have been working hard and booking accomodations. This is a dream trip for us. We can't afford huge changes and it's not possible for us to change out time off work requests at the last minute. I wake up every morning so anxious about this dragging on.
Last time we went on an international trip was 10 years ago during the BA cabin crew strike. We didn't even know if we would be able to go until three days before not knowing if it flight back would be cancelled.
I appreciate the situation of these pilots but I hope they come to an agreement without striking. I need this vacation so bad and I've worked so hard to make it happen.
Last time we went on an international trip was 10 years ago during the BA cabin crew strike. We didn't even know if we would be able to go until three days before not knowing if it flight back would be cancelled.
I appreciate the situation of these pilots but I hope they come to an agreement without striking. I need this vacation so bad and I've worked so hard to make it happen.
#1151
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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A number of questions have been asked in the last 48 hours about what would happen to bookings during a strike, which I believe are answered in the wiki and the linked post 238. Generally BA allows rebooking nearer departure date. EC261 will also apply. It is the case that sometimes a strike on day1 can affect day2, particularly if the service on day2 would have departed London on day1. It's less likely to have an impact on day minus 1. But broadly speaking I don't see the point in fretting or rebooking, and in any case this is hypothetical at the moment, there is no information right now. Look at all the worried posts at the start of this thread, where circumstances have simply gone over the dates concerned.
#1152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: JER
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Thanks, CIHY and C-W-S for your updates.
With our pre-paid two holiday bookings for inflexible flights, car and accommodation approaching £9,000 for Sep & Oct you will understand that my view of the occupants of seats 0A/B is a bit jaundiced right now.
With our pre-paid two holiday bookings for inflexible flights, car and accommodation approaching £9,000 for Sep & Oct you will understand that my view of the occupants of seats 0A/B is a bit jaundiced right now.
#1153
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
Exactly, our situation too!
#1154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
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If the professionals on the flight deck wish to behave like miners/train drivers/etc. (regardless of the rights and wrongs of their case) our 2020 TATL bookings are less likely to be with BA.
Sorry, but this is just a step too far. It is potentially screwing people’s lives to a massive extent.
Sorry, but this is just a step too far. It is potentially screwing people’s lives to a massive extent.
#1155
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,991