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, 9:05 am
#346
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
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Correction:
BA 706 is now T5 (Vienna 19:15),
BA858 Prague is T5 - 20:00
BA482 Barcelona is T5 19:15
BA330 Marseille 20:00
BA870 Budapest 20:45
BA504 Lisbon 20:30
Also now confirmed to switch from T3 to T5
BA275 LAS 16:40
BA59 CPT 21:40
Again outbound only as far as I can tell, inbounds due to arrive in T3 still are doing so.
(So basically reducing the pressure on T3 when all their longhauls to Asia go out)
It's making my head hurt!
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Aug 4, 2019 at 9:21 am
Aug 4, 2019, 9:15 am
#349
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
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Posts: 15,928
Aug 4, 2019, 9:25 am
#351
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 50
Other airlines now informing passengers of reduced baggage allowances.
Got this from VA site:
Hand Luggage: It is expected there will be significant delays though the Airport Security search area in London Heathrow. To try to minimise your wait, customers will be restricted to one small bag of essential hand luggage only that can fit under the seat in front of you.
Any additional items of hand luggage must be checked in.
Checked Luggage: Please ensure your checked luggage remains within your weight allowance.
When packing your luggage, please be aware of the prohibited items that must not be carried in checked luggage, these include:
https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/g...l#restrictions.
We strongly advise that you check your travel insurance to ensure you have adequate insurance to protect your personal items.
For further advice on how to prepare for security at London Heathrow please visit the Heathrow website: https://www.heathrow.com/more/help-w...ustrial-action
Got this from VA site:
Hand Luggage: It is expected there will be significant delays though the Airport Security search area in London Heathrow. To try to minimise your wait, customers will be restricted to one small bag of essential hand luggage only that can fit under the seat in front of you.
Any additional items of hand luggage must be checked in.
- Liquids – must be within 100ml limit and carried in clear resealable plastic bags. To save time we strongly advise you to pack all liquids in your check in bag
- Medicines – essential medicines should be in their original packaging, accompanied by a doctor’s letter and declared at security
- Mobility Aids – wheelchairs, mobility aids can be taken through security as normal
- Pushchairs – pushchairs can be taken through security as normal
- Laptops – you can take a laptop bag as your one piece of luggage, otherwise your laptop must fit within your one item of hand luggage. You will need to remove this from your bag before it is screened through security
Checked Luggage: Please ensure your checked luggage remains within your weight allowance.
When packing your luggage, please be aware of the prohibited items that must not be carried in checked luggage, these include:
- Spare batteries, including lithium batteries
- Power banks/ packs
- e-cigarettes
- mercury thermometers or barometers
- The device must be carefully wrapped in clothing or protective material to avoid damage
- TheBattery must be fitted to the device and any spare battery MUST BE carried in the cabin packed in such away so to avoid any short circuit by protecting the battery terminals
- Item should be turned off and prevented from accidental activation
- The Device must not be charged to more than 50%
https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/g...l#restrictions.
We strongly advise that you check your travel insurance to ensure you have adequate insurance to protect your personal items.
For further advice on how to prepare for security at London Heathrow please visit the Heathrow website: https://www.heathrow.com/more/help-w...ustrial-action
Aug 4, 2019, 9:27 am
#353
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
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Posts: 5,115
Wonder if the T3 to T5 switches are also to accommodate domestic transfer passengers (purely speculation)
Firefighters comment a bit concerning...
Firefighters comment a bit concerning...
Aug 4, 2019, 9:38 am
#354
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LHR Air Traffic Control
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 875
From Heathrow.com:
Just because the firefighters are part of the strike, doesn't mean there won't be fire cover. Just as the fact that security screening staff are part of the strike, doesn't mean all security points will be closed. Let's not unintentionally scaremonger.
Unite the union plans to take industrial strike action at Heathrow on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 August, and Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August. We’d like to reassure you that the airport will continue to operate on these days as we put contingency plans in place. In the meantime, Heathrow remains committed to finding a solution with Unite to avoid further strike action.
Aug 4, 2019, 9:39 am
#355
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
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Posts: 3,381
If they are domestic connections it saves screening of the relevant passengers so makes sense and removes pressure points. Once again Flyertalk coming into its own, Hopefully the disruption might make BA think sense with their own talks..
Aug 4, 2019, 9:56 am
#356
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 134
BA sorted it
i am one of the unlucky ones flying to PRG tomorrow. Called BA, only a short wait they put me on the flight tonight. Very quick and easy. They’ve made the best of a bad situation.
This is is the second time in 2 weeks BA have been great. I had to last minute cancel a flight due to a family emergency and they just said I can keep the value of the booking for 12 months. Lovely, friendly service in distressing circumstances.
Whilst people find opportunities to complain, this is why I still try to fly BA: when things go wrong I think I get looked after better and that’s more important than some of the fussy details.
Thanks BA
This is is the second time in 2 weeks BA have been great. I had to last minute cancel a flight due to a family emergency and they just said I can keep the value of the booking for 12 months. Lovely, friendly service in distressing circumstances.
Whilst people find opportunities to complain, this is why I still try to fly BA: when things go wrong I think I get looked after better and that’s more important than some of the fussy details.
Thanks BA
Aug 4, 2019, 10:05 am
#359
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
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Posts: 3,381
Yes this is provided by Omniserve and not HAL, there is specific info in the BA and Heathrow FAQ for you. Safe travels.