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 23, 2019, 1:06 am
#1321
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 49
Assuming that it is strike dates not an IT issue...
I’ve got a late morning LGW - MCO flight on 29/9 (CW, Avios booking using Amex 2-4-1). Am I likely to be impacted even though it’s after the second window or will all the planes be in the right places that morning, etc?
I’ve got a late morning LGW - MCO flight on 29/9 (CW, Avios booking using Amex 2-4-1). Am I likely to be impacted even though it’s after the second window or will all the planes be in the right places that morning, etc?
Aug 23, 2019, 1:06 am
#1322
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 655
I have a domestic flight on the 11th Sept back on the 13th Sept and what else is interesting that on both flight the CE cabin made it the biggest possible size. So its not just J and Y only available but the cabin sizing looks wrong. We are talking on the 13th 17:50 LBA-LHR 10 rows of CE. Also expertflyer doesn't even shows any other fare bucket just J and Y.
Plus BA.com is really playing up...
I think an another IT issue is on the horizon...
Plus BA.com is really playing up...
I think an another IT issue is on the horizon...
Aug 23, 2019, 1:17 am
#1324
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 655
Assuming that it is strike dates not an IT issue...
I’ve got a late morning LGW - MCO flight on 29/9 (CW, Avios booking using Amex 2-4-1). Am I likely to be impacted even though it’s after the second window or will all the planes be in the right places that morning, etc?
I’ve got a late morning LGW - MCO flight on 29/9 (CW, Avios booking using Amex 2-4-1). Am I likely to be impacted even though it’s after the second window or will all the planes be in the right places that morning, etc?
Also, it also depends if BA has the balls to take their short-lease trick out of their hat again. During the cabin crew strike they still had the opportunity to lease some jets from QR and other ACMI operators, but because of the 737MAX issues the availability of aircraft has diminished and this action will piss off the pilots even more. Cabin crew is relatively easy to replace, but pilots are highly skilled labour where experience and type ratings are crucial.
Aug 23, 2019, 1:28 am
#1325
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Based on simple reasoning, I would say the because LGW is a home base for BA and the normal response during a period of strike would be having the aircraft at home base or at the major routes for BA (JFK comes to mind).
Also, it also depends if BA has the balls to take their short-lease trick out of their hat again. During the cabin crew strike they still had the opportunity to lease some jets from QR and other ACMI operators, but because of the 737MAX issues the availability of aircraft has diminished and this action will piss off the pilots even more. Cabin crew is relatively easy to replace, but pilots are highly skilled labour where experience and type ratings are crucial.
Also, it also depends if BA has the balls to take their short-lease trick out of their hat again. During the cabin crew strike they still had the opportunity to lease some jets from QR and other ACMI operators, but because of the 737MAX issues the availability of aircraft has diminished and this action will piss off the pilots even more. Cabin crew is relatively easy to replace, but pilots are highly skilled labour where experience and type ratings are crucial.
Aug 23, 2019, 1:44 am
#1326
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Cork, Ireland
Programs: BAEC Gold, TK Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 259
Aug 23, 2019, 2:00 am
#1327
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 19
keep me hanging on...
I fly to LGW-LAS on 27/9 and there is no longer any economy or premium economy on sale.It could be due to impending strike action, flights in the days prior to this may be strike affected so using my flight to rearrange affected passengers or a bank holiday sale!
I used to work at Avios and sometimes the redemption flights would be made unavailable for re-pricing due to sales. Like you say, we can speculate until the cows come home. Hope everyone gets to fly on their chosen dates. We’ll see….
I used to work at Avios and sometimes the redemption flights would be made unavailable for re-pricing due to sales. Like you say, we can speculate until the cows come home. Hope everyone gets to fly on their chosen dates. We’ll see….
Aug 23, 2019, 3:04 am
#1328
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: A hop, skip and jump away from MAN.
Programs: BAEC Gold, ex-VS Gold, ex-UA Gold, Premier Inn Platinum-Iridium
Posts: 1,114
It's certainly plausible that BA are intentionally trying to displace some demand, to create slack in their system and minimise the amount of tickets which will end up being endorsed onto other carriers.
Given the costs involved in handling disruption, rebooking affected passengers, processing refunds, etc., it might be strategically better to deter further bookings.
Aug 23, 2019, 3:24 am
#1329
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,195
if BALPA wanted to make a public announcement they can but the employer must be told first with a notice that complies with the legislation. The legal obligation is to inform the employer not the public.
Aug 23, 2019, 3:28 am
#1330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Due to BA’s love of court action it would not be a surprise to give over 14 days notice in case they tried to challenge the wording - leaves enough time to resubmit.
Ironic that the pilots can’t do what other workers do during strikes and fly off for a cheeky extra holiday :-)
Ironic that the pilots can’t do what other workers do during strikes and fly off for a cheeky extra holiday :-)
Aug 23, 2019, 3:32 am
#1332
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Glasgow and Asia
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hotels.com Gold
Posts: 510
Okay a heads up on my situation.
Booked to return from Nice to GLA on 11th and only Y on sale but B,C on sale on 10th and 12th. Then off from GLA-BLR on the 13th, RTN on 19th. Searching for my flights has just shown the outbound on 13th is £1400 Y, £1849 in W and £4,500 in J. Searching around those dates shows the price spike starts Sun 8th to Thurs 12th. Although I could search for the 13th, it is now showing as unavailable from Fri 13th to Mon 16th and from Fri 20th to Mon23rd. The only flights available are on Tues,Wed, Thurs right through until January. Flights on individual legs LHR-BLR are available in Y,W,J. and GLA-LHR are available on all dates but only in Y,J.
Now the Fri-Mon flights are back up with some only Y, some only Y,W and some Y,W,J.
If it was just the BALPA dates I would be worried. But it seems to be all over the place for months.
Booked to return from Nice to GLA on 11th and only Y on sale but B,C on sale on 10th and 12th. Then off from GLA-BLR on the 13th, RTN on 19th. Searching for my flights has just shown the outbound on 13th is £1400 Y, £1849 in W and £4,500 in J. Searching around those dates shows the price spike starts Sun 8th to Thurs 12th. Although I could search for the 13th, it is now showing as unavailable from Fri 13th to Mon 16th and from Fri 20th to Mon23rd. The only flights available are on Tues,Wed, Thurs right through until January. Flights on individual legs LHR-BLR are available in Y,W,J. and GLA-LHR are available on all dates but only in Y,J.
Now the Fri-Mon flights are back up with some only Y, some only Y,W and some Y,W,J.
If it was just the BALPA dates I would be worried. But it seems to be all over the place for months.
Aug 23, 2019, 3:34 am
#1333
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 887
Due to BA’s love of court action it would not be a surprise to give over 14 days notice in case they tried to challenge the wording - leaves enough time to resubmit.
Ironic that the pilots can’t do what other workers do during strikes and fly off for a cheeky extra holiday :-)
Ironic that the pilots can’t do what other workers do during strikes and fly off for a cheeky extra holiday :-)
Aug 23, 2019, 3:35 am
#1334
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 19
In a weird way I find it encouraging that the dates are all over the place. I always have rotten luck with flying (I could write a book, honestly). I’m secretly anxious about my flight being cancelled and my husband is blissfully unaware of potential strike action.