Aug 1, 2019, 2:54 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
This thread is about the now deferredindustrial action (strikes) by Heathrow Airport Limited staff. Click here for the official and detailed BA advice, particularly for departing and connecting passengers.
The strikes planned for Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 August have now both been cancelled and normal services can be expected, with the possible exception of some catering changes on shorthaul services. A revised pay offer is being put to the workforce and in the meantime strike action has been postponed.
This is a different and unrelated dispute to the possible BA strike (there is a separate thread for this). It only affects LHR but all airlines, all terminals
As things stand the next strike days are Friday 23 - Saturday 24 August, there may be further dates announced. The impact is on departing and connecting passengers, with restrictions on hand baggage (one small item only), no First Wing or Fast Track security, and changed catering arrangements on some shorter services. See links above for details, there are no changes noted for passengers arriving into Heathrow, other than the catering changes. On Sunday BA will announce any service changes, usually this comes around 17:00 hrs London time. BA is offering a Twilight Check-In service from 18:00 hrs the night before travel to allow passengers to get their bags into the system before the day of travel.
BA is allowing short haul bookings from LHR on 5-6 August to be rebooked to either LCY or LGW - or to other dates from Heathrow on or before 12 August so long as they avoid 5-6 August. This include redemptions. Tickets need to be booked on or before 31 July. It would appear that currently flights TO Heathrow are not in scope.
The strikes planned for Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 August have now both been cancelled and normal services can be expected, with the possible exception of some catering changes on shorthaul services. A revised pay offer is being put to the workforce and in the meantime strike action has been postponed.
This is a different and unrelated dispute to the possible BA strike (there is a separate thread for this). It only affects LHR but all airlines, all terminals
As things stand the next strike days are Friday 23 - Saturday 24 August, there may be further dates announced. The impact is on departing and connecting passengers, with restrictions on hand baggage (one small item only), no First Wing or Fast Track security, and changed catering arrangements on some shorter services. See links above for details, there are no changes noted for passengers arriving into Heathrow, other than the catering changes. On Sunday BA will announce any service changes, usually this comes around 17:00 hrs London time. BA is offering a Twilight Check-In service from 18:00 hrs the night before travel to allow passengers to get their bags into the system before the day of travel.
BA is allowing short haul bookings from LHR on 5-6 August to be rebooked to either LCY or LGW - or to other dates from Heathrow on or before 12 August so long as they avoid 5-6 August. This include redemptions. Tickets need to be booked on or before 31 July. It would appear that currently flights TO Heathrow are not in scope.
LHR strikes (HAL employees) - 23/24 Aug 2019 [called off for now]
Aug 2, 2019, 12:23 pm
#166
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 80
Heathrow has just updated the strike FAQ with details on "Travelling on a strike day - what you may notice and how you should prepare:"
Aug 2, 2019, 12:26 pm
#167
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
The inability to change long haul flights is odd. Presumably it's only so as not to unleash a flood of calls to the call centre... Esp given Virgin is considering diverting flights to LGW:
Monday 5 August
These flights may arrive into Gatwick
VS138 – New York-JFK- London Heathrow (departing 4 August)
VS154 – New York-JFK - London Heathrow (departing 4 August)
VS104 – Atlanta- London Heathrow (departing 4 August)
VS158 – Boston- London Heathrow
These flights may depart from Gatwick
VS3 – London Heathrow – New York JFK
VS153 London Heathrow – New York JFK
VS1 - London Heathrow – New York Newark
VS157 - London Heathrow – Boston
These flights may arrive into Gatwick
VS138 – New York-JFK- London Heathrow (departing 4 August)
VS154 – New York-JFK - London Heathrow (departing 4 August)
VS104 – Atlanta- London Heathrow (departing 4 August)
VS158 – Boston- London Heathrow
These flights may depart from Gatwick
VS3 – London Heathrow – New York JFK
VS153 London Heathrow – New York JFK
VS1 - London Heathrow – New York Newark
VS157 - London Heathrow – Boston
Aug 2, 2019, 12:53 pm
#168
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,994
The inability to change long haul flights is odd. Presumably it's only so as not to unleash a flood of calls to the call centre... Esp given Virgin is considering diverting flights to LGW:
Aug 2, 2019, 12:55 pm
#169
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 11
Hi I am travelling with BA on 6th August when Heathrow are striking, I am travelling from Manchester to Heathrow and then to Miami with my kids. I have a 2 hour 20 minute gap between connections and I’m so worried with the staff going on strike there won’t be anyone to guide or take us. We arrive in terminal 5 and Miami flight is from terminal 3. Is there any other way of getting to terminal 3 without the buses Heathrow run? Can we walk? Get a taxi?
I am sick with worry its our its our first family holiday and I don’t know what to do or expect. Can anyone help please?
I am sick with worry its our its our first family holiday and I don’t know what to do or expect. Can anyone help please?
Aug 2, 2019, 1:01 pm
#170
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 80
Hi I am travelling with BA on 6th August when Heathrow are striking, I am travelling from Manchester to Heathrow and then to Miami with my kids. I have a 2 hour 20 minute gap between connections and I’m so worried with the staff going on strike there won’t be anyone to guide or take us. We arrive in terminal 5 and Miami flight is from terminal 3. Is there any other way of getting to terminal 3 without the buses Heathrow run? Can we walk? Get a taxi?
I am sick with worry its our its our first family holiday and I don’t know what to do or expect. Can anyone help please?
I am sick with worry its our its our first family holiday and I don’t know what to do or expect. Can anyone help please?
From Terminal 5 to:
Terminal 2 or Terminal 3
Free shuttle trains are free for travel between Terminal 5 station and Heathrow Central station (Terminals 2 & 3). Please note from 20 May 2018, to travel on the shuttle trains, you can get a free Inter-Terminal Transferticket from the machines in the station. You can also use an Transport for London Oyster card or a contactless payment card which will not be charged when travelling between terminals.
Average journey time: 20 minutes
Frequent London Underground trains also run between the terminals. The transfer is only free if you use a Transport for London Oyster card or a contactless payment card.
Average journey time: 16 minutes
Terminal 2 or Terminal 3
Free shuttle trains are free for travel between Terminal 5 station and Heathrow Central station (Terminals 2 & 3). Please note from 20 May 2018, to travel on the shuttle trains, you can get a free Inter-Terminal Transferticket from the machines in the station. You can also use an Transport for London Oyster card or a contactless payment card which will not be charged when travelling between terminals.
Average journey time: 20 minutes
Frequent London Underground trains also run between the terminals. The transfer is only free if you use a Transport for London Oyster card or a contactless payment card.
Average journey time: 16 minutes
Aug 2, 2019, 1:04 pm
#172
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,640
Heathrow has just updated the strike FAQ with details on "Travelling on a strike day - what you may notice and how you should prepare:"
Whilst most flights will operate as scheduled, to ensure your comfort, safety and security during this time, we are working with our airline partners to consolidate and reduce the number of flights operating during the strike period. Unfortunately, this does mean that some passengers will be moved onto different flights by their airlines.
Aug 2, 2019, 1:06 pm
#173
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,640
Just head to arrivals at terminal 5 and follow the signs for trains.
Edit: Leaving this here because it is factually right but BAEC makes good points below and in your shoes I would follow their advice.
Last edited by lcylocal; Aug 2, 2019 at 1:51 pm
Aug 2, 2019, 1:06 pm
#174
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,994
Hi I am travelling with BA on 6th August when Heathrow are striking, I am travelling from Manchester to Heathrow and then to Miami with my kids. I have a 2 hour 20 minute gap between connections and I’m so worried with the staff going on strike there won’t be anyone to guide or take us. We arrive in terminal 5 and Miami flight is from terminal 3. Is there any other way of getting to terminal 3 without the buses Heathrow run? Can we walk? Get a taxi?
I am sick with worry its our its our first family holiday and I don’t know what to do or expect. Can anyone help please?
I am sick with worry its our its our first family holiday and I don’t know what to do or expect. Can anyone help please?
Are you on the 10:40 MIA flight?
Aug 2, 2019, 1:06 pm
#175
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Somewhere in the Air
Programs: BA GGL, *A Silver, OW Emerald, HH Diamond, Karahi Express
Posts: 554
Aug 2, 2019, 1:10 pm
#178
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 11
sorry to be dumb I’ve never done this before but what do you mean by protected and how would I leave the terminal? Never flown from Heathrow before
Aug 2, 2019, 1:15 pm
#180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,444
leaving the terminal is easy, you just follows the signs for arrivals. Once through the terminal and into the main arrivals area simply follow the signs for the Heathrow Express and take it one stop to Heathrow T2 and T3. Then go back through security.