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 4, 2019, 3:30 am
#316
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
If the strike goes ahead, assuming those using LHR are prepared to do so we could with a thread containing some real time on the ground reporting of how it is all going.
I’m not due at the airport until 2pm. I’m happy to play reporter but would certainly appreciate some intel before I arrive.
I’m not due at the airport until 2pm. I’m happy to play reporter but would certainly appreciate some intel before I arrive.
Aug 4, 2019, 4:41 am
#317
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 50
I'm leaving from T3 at 14:30 tomorrow which I'm imagining will be the start of the worst part of the process.
Unfortunately I can't arrive at T3 until about 12:00, nothing I can do to change that. Will let you all know what T3 looks like when I arrive and see what people are doing with baggage.
I'll be taking a small backpack as my hand luggage (laptop, change of clothes and a toothbrush!) and checking a small bag of clothes.
Anything else people want me to look for or report back on when I get there I'd be happy to do.
I 'm preparing to arrive at 12:00 and spend the 2.5hrs before departure in various queues!
Unfortunately I can't arrive at T3 until about 12:00, nothing I can do to change that. Will let you all know what T3 looks like when I arrive and see what people are doing with baggage.
I'll be taking a small backpack as my hand luggage (laptop, change of clothes and a toothbrush!) and checking a small bag of clothes.
Anything else people want me to look for or report back on when I get there I'd be happy to do.
I 'm preparing to arrive at 12:00 and spend the 2.5hrs before departure in various queues!
Aug 4, 2019, 5:11 am
#318
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Seems someone forgot to switch off the automatic email pre departure which may cause a bit of confusion amongst some.....
"We look forward to welcoming you on board your flight with British Airways tomorrow and would like to remind you that you may carry on 1 handbag/laptop bag (max. 23kg / 51lb and up to 40 x 30 x 15cm / 16 x 12 x 6in plus 1 additional cabin bag (max. 23kg / 51lb and up to 56 x 45 x 25cm / 22 x 18 x 10in). Please be aware that items such as Powerbanks, spare batteries, lighters/matches and e-cigarettes cannot be carried in checked baggage.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at Heathrow Terminal 5."
"We look forward to welcoming you on board your flight with British Airways tomorrow and would like to remind you that you may carry on 1 handbag/laptop bag (max. 23kg / 51lb and up to 40 x 30 x 15cm / 16 x 12 x 6in plus 1 additional cabin bag (max. 23kg / 51lb and up to 56 x 45 x 25cm / 22 x 18 x 10in). Please be aware that items such as Powerbanks, spare batteries, lighters/matches and e-cigarettes cannot be carried in checked baggage.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at Heathrow Terminal 5."
Aug 4, 2019, 5:14 am
#319
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,163
All media outlets and the HAL website announce 170 cancellations but are not yet saying which ones. I think the situation is bad enough without compounding it by not announcing which flights are cancelled. Sure we can guess the usual domestics and a mix of short-hauls to trim down the schedule but this feels like it’s being handled badly.
I’m not waiting to see if BA announce my LHR-MUC flight is cancelled. I’m flying from LGW on EZ.
I’m not waiting to see if BA announce my LHR-MUC flight is cancelled. I’m flying from LGW on EZ.
Aug 4, 2019, 5:17 am
#320
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cheshire
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Am Elite, Best Western Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,712
All media outlets and the HAL website announce 170 cancellations but are not yet saying which ones. I think the situation is bad enough without compounding it by not announcing which flights are cancelled. Sure we can guess the usual domestics and a mix of short-hauls to trim down the schedule but this feels like it’s being handled badly.
I’m not waiting to see if BA announce my LHR-MUC flight is cancelled. I’m flying from LGW on EZ.
I’m not waiting to see if BA announce my LHR-MUC flight is cancelled. I’m flying from LGW on EZ.
This gives information for Virgin/ Flybe etc.
As you’ve highlighted BA are happy to bury their heads in the sand rather than let their customers know what their plans are!
Aug 4, 2019, 5:36 am
#322
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cheshire
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Am Elite, Best Western Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,712
Allowing customers to know which flights they intend to cancel, allows them to plan their other options.
Refusing to let customers know will just make the problems worse for them.
Aug 4, 2019, 5:42 am
#323
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Somewhere in the Air
Programs: BA GGL, *A Silver, OW Emerald, HH Diamond, Karahi Express
Posts: 554
Aug 4, 2019, 5:42 am
#324
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,993
They could at least publish a list of planned cancellations with a deadline by which time they are confirmed.
I rather suspect we'll have that list later today anyway.
Aug 4, 2019, 5:51 am
#325
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 80
Edit: my question from above was more from their point of view, not mine...
Last edited by BKft; Aug 4, 2019 at 5:53 am Reason: clarification
Aug 4, 2019, 5:52 am
#326
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: 63,811
If they allow rebooking, everyone on the 6 flights would have to call up, since the website and app need a confirmed cancellation to release the ticket to allow online rebooking to work (and that's flaky at the best of times). After long delays on the Contact Centre - and other people with critical matter also being held up - it turns out that the strike is called off. Some people presumably would ring back and ask to go back on to their old flight. If they can get through. Some may cancel their booking, and then it will be very difficult to reinstate it later.
If they don't allow rebooking until this evening, then people are still going to call up, only to be told "wait until later".
Alternative solution: cancel the relevant flights, online tools will do some work, Contact Centre will be dealing with known problems.
Aug 4, 2019, 5:53 am
#327
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
Aug 4, 2019, 8:26 am
#328
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Berlin
Programs: LH/BA/DL
Posts: 832
BA flights from LHR to Berlin already zeroed out in all classes for Monday and Tuesday. Lufthansa to Munich and Frankfurt as well, and some Lufthansa flights already show as cancelled.
Glad I could switch to LCY, good luck to everyone else!
Glad I could switch to LCY, good luck to everyone else!