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 days 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 days notice). See the main EC261 thread in the BA Forum Dashboard.
LHR/LGW pilots (BALPA) industrial action 9 Sep, 10 Sep, and 27 Sep
#1231
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,587
#1232
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
I totally get the people on this thread saying "whatever happens happens" etc, but it's not the same when someone has worked hard and is looking forward to their first holiday in a year... they're not going to feel the same way.
In the last few weeks on the run up to a holiday people should be excited, not worried about whether their flight is going ahead.
In the last few weeks on the run up to a holiday people should be excited, not worried about whether their flight is going ahead.
#1233
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,475
Almost certainly Article 7 compensation will be payable in this specific case, in the event of delays and cancellations leading to delays. And you're right to highlight the Right to Care provisions which are open ended.
#1234
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,495
#1236
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,338
if its more expensive than a hotel expect BA to put a cap on it. If you do need to travel to/from the accommodation then keep receipts.
I know its easier said said than done but stop worrying, IF a strike is announced BALPA might say 26 and 27 Sept and BA maybe gets 30 flights out on each day, you might not be travelling on that day and your flight could be one of the 30 that operate.
Also. If BALPA say right strikes 15 16 Sept. 25 and 26 Sep. 1 Oct and 3 Oct it doesnt mean strikes will happen on those days, a strike date merely puts a bit of pressure on BA which will hopefully allow either talks to resume or the strikes called off by BALPA.
From what ive seen BALPA seem to be reasonable over this is not scheduling strikes whilst the legal challenge and appeal took place, not scheduling strikes whilst talks undertaken, helped BA out in their IT issue and said they wouldnt announce strikes over a weekend. Whilst the aim of a strike is to cause disruption, BALPa wont go for the jugular yet unless BA are totally unreasonable.
#1237
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
Thanks the villa is less than 200 per night so that might be ok, I'll ask for receipts and also for extending the hire car.
I agree with what you're saying but they might not get called off until the last minute or I wouldn't know if my flight was one of the lucky ones operating until the day before so I need contingency.
I agree with what you're saying but they might not get called off until the last minute or I wouldn't know if my flight was one of the lucky ones operating until the day before so I need contingency.
#1238
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 133
Thanks the villa is less than 200 per night so that might be ok, I'll ask for receipts and also for extending the hire car.
I agree with what you're saying but they might not get called off until the last minute or I wouldn't know if my flight was one of the lucky ones operating until the day before so I need contingency.
I agree with what you're saying but they might not get called off until the last minute or I wouldn't know if my flight was one of the lucky ones operating until the day before so I need contingency.
Are strikes inconvenient? Yes, but you can minimise inconvenience if you're worried. Might you need to move hotels? Yes. Is it annoying? Yes. Is it better than having to pay yourself? Absolutely.
#1239
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,124
eek ... Travel Insurance
For years I have travelled with the comfort of having AXA travel insurance bundled free with my Lloyds Gold account. The discussion here has inspired me to look at the details, where I find that cover expires at age 75! Help!! I have until October to sort out alternative cover!
Glad I checked!!
Glad I checked!!
#1240
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,383
I recognise the point made above that BALPA have made every effort to adopt the most ‘reasonable’ approach throughout this process. They deserve credit for that.
However ...... accepting also that there are almost certainly things happening behind the scenes, to which few (if any ?) of us are privy, I do think there comes a point when BALPA could be deemed to be prolonging uncertainty - by which I mean, more so than BA. One could say that BA have at least made their position clear (wrongly or rightly) with the reported ‘final offer’ and that BALPA should therefore have decided by now what their own final position is, one way or the other.
I wonder whether BALPA are perhaps risking (some) loss of support with what might be seen as prevarication .... ?
However ...... accepting also that there are almost certainly things happening behind the scenes, to which few (if any ?) of us are privy, I do think there comes a point when BALPA could be deemed to be prolonging uncertainty - by which I mean, more so than BA. One could say that BA have at least made their position clear (wrongly or rightly) with the reported ‘final offer’ and that BALPA should therefore have decided by now what their own final position is, one way or the other.
I wonder whether BALPA are perhaps risking (some) loss of support with what might be seen as prevarication .... ?
#1242
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
I recognise the point made above that BALPA have made every effort to adopt the most ‘reasonable’ approach throughout this process. They deserve credit for that.
However ...... accepting also that there are almost certainly things happening behind the scenes, to which few (if any ?) of us are privy, I do think there comes a point when BALPA could be deemed to be prolonging uncertainty - and more so than BA. One could say that BA have at least made their position clear (wrongly or rightly) with the reported ‘final offer’ and that BALPA should therefore have decided by now what their own final position is, one way or the other.
I wonder whether BALPA are perhaps risking (some) loss of support with what might be seen as prevarication .... ?
However ...... accepting also that there are almost certainly things happening behind the scenes, to which few (if any ?) of us are privy, I do think there comes a point when BALPA could be deemed to be prolonging uncertainty - and more so than BA. One could say that BA have at least made their position clear (wrongly or rightly) with the reported ‘final offer’ and that BALPA should therefore have decided by now what their own final position is, one way or the other.
I wonder whether BALPA are perhaps risking (some) loss of support with what might be seen as prevarication .... ?
Given that the Ryan Air strike is taking place today/tomorrow, I'd imagine that BALPA will hold off on announcing BA strike dates until next week to avoid missing out on potential press coverage. This is likely why no press release or further information has been published on their position of BA's latest offer.
News outlets are fixated on Ryan Air strikes at the moment, it's exactly what BALPA want/need. Why would they risk that by disrupting their own press coverage?
However, this strategy is causing maximum uncertainty for passengers. It gets to a point where passengers who were sympathetic will lose patience and want a clear understanding of what's going on. I think we're getting close to that point...
#1243
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,261
For years I have travelled with the comfort of having AXA travel insurance bundled free with my Lloyds Gold account. The discussion here has inspired me to look at the details, where I find that cover expires at age 75! Help!! I have until October to sort out alternative cover!
Glad I checked!!
Glad I checked!!
#1244
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,383
I really really dont wish to see a strike (I cant imagine anyone does).
But there is a fine line between BALPA being perceived as reasonable and patient ; and being seen as weak and indecisive. The latter will surely strengthen BAs own resolve.
#1245
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,149
For years I have travelled with the comfort of having AXA travel insurance bundled free with my Lloyds Gold account. The discussion here has inspired me to look at the details, where I find that cover expires at age 75! Help!! I have until October to sort out alternative cover!
Glad I checked!!
Glad I checked!!