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, 1:36 pm
#1396
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,992
While not directly affected yet I hope BA gets this settled soon. I stopped flying Lufthansa when they were having the endless one day strikes a couple of years back
Aug 23, 2019, 1:40 pm
#1397
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
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Posts: 32,146
Aug 23, 2019, 1:46 pm
#1398
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Titan are fully committed covering for the grounded B737max. Qatar may not be allowed this time after the European displeasure brought upon the CAA last time for allowing a wet lease from out of Europe. Hillfly may have an A380 if they are not covering for the Norwegian B787 engine problems.
Aug 23, 2019, 1:49 pm
#1399
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
Aug 23, 2019, 2:02 pm
#1400
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: London
Posts: 30
BA can afford to end this tomorrow.
There is a lot of pride that needs to be swallowed over in Waterside.
Aug 23, 2019, 2:17 pm
#1401
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK.
Programs: SQ LPPS, A3 *G, BA Silver aiming for Bronze
Posts: 1,506
Remember that Qatar has much leased out at the moment, not only Air Italy but also Air Canada where they are covering a number of Montreal - Europe flights but interestingly not to LHR.
Aug 23, 2019, 2:57 pm
#1403
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Aug 23, 2019, 4:34 pm
#1404
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,693
So far it looks like all flights have been cancelled on the 9th and 10th but nothing has yet been cancelled on the 27th. Will be interesting to see if they process these cancellations tonight or hold off for a few more days.
Aug 23, 2019, 4:36 pm
#1405
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
I’d be surprised if they cancel any of those until after 9th / 10th - no benefit to BA in doing so, can wait and still cancel more than 14 days out
Aug 23, 2019, 5:03 pm
#1406
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Toronto
Programs: BA Exec Club - Demoted to Bronze and re-promoted to Silver alongside AC Elite 50K (gold) in 2022
Posts: 393
what really surprises and bugs me with this dispute - and I do realise this thread is now about how people sort alternative travel..................
if the BBC is correct, then the gap in the offer and what the pilots want is 5 million quid a year. (accepting that 5 million is for ever and compounds and so say over 20 years may be 60 million quid.
BA last year made £1.96bn profit. The cost of settling is 5 million, or 60 over 10 years. The cost of cancellations, chartering any aircraft left after the dreamliner and max sagas, EU compensation must be way about either 5 or 60 million.
you do the maths - regardless of the merits of the claim, the best business strategy is to settle and continue being a good employer. cancelling flights immediately shows an unwillingness to settle.
either Messrs Cruz and Walsh are stubborn, the negotiating team inept, or they have lost the plot!
if the BBC is correct, then the gap in the offer and what the pilots want is 5 million quid a year. (accepting that 5 million is for ever and compounds and so say over 20 years may be 60 million quid.
BA last year made £1.96bn profit. The cost of settling is 5 million, or 60 over 10 years. The cost of cancellations, chartering any aircraft left after the dreamliner and max sagas, EU compensation must be way about either 5 or 60 million.
you do the maths - regardless of the merits of the claim, the best business strategy is to settle and continue being a good employer. cancelling flights immediately shows an unwillingness to settle.
either Messrs Cruz and Walsh are stubborn, the negotiating team inept, or they have lost the plot!
Aug 23, 2019, 5:23 pm
#1407
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London / Berlin
Posts: 130
But BA could equally argue that pay increases for pilots could lead to greater demands from other employees and weaken the company's ability to resist further disputes.
Don't get me wrong, I think BA have played their hand poorly here by issuing a 'final offer' and aggravating their negotiating partner. But settling "regardless of the merits" does not seem to me to be a good business strategy.
Aug 23, 2019, 5:25 pm
#1408
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
what really surprises and bugs me with this dispute - and I do realise this thread is now about how people sort alternative travel..................
if the BBC is correct, then the gap in the offer and what the pilots want is 5 million quid a year. (accepting that 5 million is for ever and compounds and so say over 20 years may be 60 million quid.
BA last year made £1.96bn profit. The cost of settling is 5 million, or 60 over 10 years. The cost of cancellations, chartering any aircraft left after the dreamliner and max sagas, EU compensation must be way about either 5 or 60 million.
you do the maths - regardless of the merits of the claim, the best business strategy is to settle and continue being a good employer. cancelling flights immediately shows an unwillingness to settle.
either Messrs Cruz and Walsh are stubborn, the negotiating team inept, or they have lost the plot!
if the BBC is correct, then the gap in the offer and what the pilots want is 5 million quid a year. (accepting that 5 million is for ever and compounds and so say over 20 years may be 60 million quid.
BA last year made £1.96bn profit. The cost of settling is 5 million, or 60 over 10 years. The cost of cancellations, chartering any aircraft left after the dreamliner and max sagas, EU compensation must be way about either 5 or 60 million.
you do the maths - regardless of the merits of the claim, the best business strategy is to settle and continue being a good employer. cancelling flights immediately shows an unwillingness to settle.
either Messrs Cruz and Walsh are stubborn, the negotiating team inept, or they have lost the plot!
Bow to BALPA and the gates open for all other staff to follow. That, I would think, is management's decision.
Not saying it's right. But the hard stance - for now! - seems to be the company's play.
Last edited by mmxbreaks; Aug 23, 2019 at 5:31 pm
Aug 24, 2019, 12:08 am
#1410
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: 63,850