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
Aug 21, 2019, 10:59 am
#1201
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,293
Aug 21, 2019, 11:20 am
#1202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Well, at least the current situation saves me the effort of exploring BA’s ‘Sale’ offers, and indeed flights, for 2020.
Back to Matrix and other OW options to the Caribbean, the USA etc. etc, .... and finding other ways to get out of JER instead of using one of BA’s 5-a-day.
Back to Matrix and other OW options to the Caribbean, the USA etc. etc, .... and finding other ways to get out of JER instead of using one of BA’s 5-a-day.
Aug 21, 2019, 11:34 am
#1203
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum, HH Diamond, Hertz PC,
Posts: 1,986
Well, at least the current situation saves me the effort of exploring BA’s ‘Sale’ offers, and indeed flights, for 2020.
Back to Matrix and other OW options to the Caribbean, the USA etc. etc, .... and finding other ways to get out of JER instead of using one of BA’s 5-a-day.
Back to Matrix and other OW options to the Caribbean, the USA etc. etc, .... and finding other ways to get out of JER instead of using one of BA’s 5-a-day.
Aug 21, 2019, 12:20 pm
#1205
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,448
Aug 21, 2019, 12:22 pm
#1206
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
Thinking about re-booking a flight with another airline for September 7... thoughts? Worried that when a strike is announced prices for other carriers will go through the roof and BA won't provide a suitable alternative for LGW -> MCO.
Aug 21, 2019, 12:35 pm
#1207
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,746
If you can do it without a financial penalty it might be worth it for peace of mind? All depends on your risk tolerance and what alternative flights might cost vs what you have already paid.
Aug 21, 2019, 12:37 pm
#1208
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 8
edit: For what it’s worth, I’ve read a tweet response from BALPA that if they do strike that the dates will not fall on a weekend. Judging by the strike dates announced for Ryanair, they dont fall on a weekend. Can’t say how true that is, but if so you may be fine as it appears for now.
Last edited by EchoCharlieX; Aug 21, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Aug 21, 2019, 12:52 pm
#1209
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 556
Mrs T is booked 4th Sept MAN-LHR-AMS to meet up with me from a HNL, via MAD to AMS. Her booking is Avios . She is a tad worried. As I figure things based on the info upthread she should now be fairly ok based on the strike notice requirements?
Aug 21, 2019, 1:00 pm
#1210
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 887
I've been thinking the same. My flight is on the 6th from SFO to LHR. Since there’s only 2 more days till I’m in the clear unless an announcement will be made I think I’m going to wait.
edit: For what it’s worth, I’ve read a tweet response from BALPA that if they do strike that the dates will not fall on a weekend. Judging by the strike dates announced for Ryanair, they dont fall on a weekend. Can’t say how true that is, but if so you may be fine as it appears for now.
Aug 21, 2019, 1:08 pm
#1212
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
I've been thinking the same. My flight is on the 6th from SFO to LHR. Since there’s only 2 more days till I’m in the clear unless an announcement will be made I think I’m going to wait.
edit: For what it’s worth, I’ve read a tweet response from BALPA that if they do strike that the dates will not fall on a weekend. Judging by the strike dates announced for Ryanair, they dont fall on a weekend. Can’t say how true that is, but if so you may be fine as it appears for now.
Aug 21, 2019, 1:13 pm
#1213
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Philadelphia, USA
Programs: Marriott Platinum, American Platinum, Singapore KrisFlyer
Posts: 138
How would a strike impact long haul flights?
Apologies if this has already been answered...In my case, I am flying club world from LHR to MAA (India) on September 4th.
Technically, the flight lands in India on September 5th. I would have to assume the cabin crew would have a layover in India for at least one night before going back to LHR
Although I appear to be safe based on the 14 day calculation, i am not sure if the calculation should be from the date of arrival (Sep5) versus the date of departure (Sep 4)
In other words, if a strike were called for September 5, could I be impacted?
I am flying from the US on AA. I would assume those sectors would be normal.
Thanks
Technically, the flight lands in India on September 5th. I would have to assume the cabin crew would have a layover in India for at least one night before going back to LHR
Although I appear to be safe based on the 14 day calculation, i am not sure if the calculation should be from the date of arrival (Sep5) versus the date of departure (Sep 4)
In other words, if a strike were called for September 5, could I be impacted?
I am flying from the US on AA. I would assume those sectors would be normal.
Thanks
Aug 21, 2019, 1:19 pm
#1214
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dorset, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 635
I imagine if strikes were called then they would do it on the basis of pilots booking on for work at home base (e.g. Heathrow, Gatwick, etc) will be asked to not report between X and Y. This is how the MF strikes a few years back operated and is practically the most likely scenario. I would imagine that any crew downroute will likely still operate as per normal assuming the aircraft are in the right place to operate the flights.
I've got a few flights booked over the coming weeks and in all honesty am just continuing as per normal. There's no point worrying too much about something that may not happen and you get somewhat used to strikes when you live on the former British Rail Southern Region... the world doesn't end and it won't end even if there are strikes. I just take a fairly pragmatic view and I say that as someone who hates disruption but supports worker rights...
I've got a few flights booked over the coming weeks and in all honesty am just continuing as per normal. There's no point worrying too much about something that may not happen and you get somewhat used to strikes when you live on the former British Rail Southern Region... the world doesn't end and it won't end even if there are strikes. I just take a fairly pragmatic view and I say that as someone who hates disruption but supports worker rights...