Aug 24, 2019, 4:29 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
Quick answers to FAQ
Update 18 September 2019: BALPA, the pilots union, has called off their strike for 27 September. We are awaiting a status update from BA on the next steps.
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, see post 540 for an example of a mistake cancellation, see post 818 for a genuinely cancelled flight.
Post 540 (mistake cancellation): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31451182-post540.html
Post 818 (real cancellation): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31454467-post818.html
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) have announced strike dates.
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 here
and BA Trade Site guidance here
The list of airlines that can be used for rebooking BA flights is now very long, and the list is available here:
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/traveltrade/bookings-policies/policies/askba?faqid=7594
As of 27 August, this was the old list, and you can track the rollout of OAL via the main thread: Iberia, AA, Aer Lingus (Transatlantic routed limited to 09/10 Sep Only), Finnair, JAL, Malaysia, Qatar, SAS, Brussels, Egyptair, Precision Air, Cathay Pacific and Etihad, Saudia, Gulf, Qantas, Tradewind Aviation, Interjet, LATAM, Air France, KLM, Air New Zealand, Philippine Airlines, EVA Air, Kenya Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Baltic, Air Atlantic, Croatia and Vueling. Between LHR/MAN and SIN only for Economy passengers, Singapore Airlines is allowed. Between LON and SOF only, Bulgaria is allowed. Between London and Newcastle, Leeds and Edinburgh BA can rebook via the LNER rail company. Suspended then but now allowed: Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian
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): here
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.[/left]
Update 18 September 2019: BALPA, the pilots union, has called off their strike for 27 September. We are awaiting a status update from BA on the next steps.
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, see post 540 for an example of a mistake cancellation, see post 818 for a genuinely cancelled flight.
Post 540 (mistake cancellation): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31451182-post540.html
Post 818 (real cancellation): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31454467-post818.html
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) have announced strike dates.
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 here
and BA Trade Site guidance here
The list of airlines that can be used for rebooking BA flights is now very long, and the list is available here:
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/traveltrade/bookings-policies/policies/askba?faqid=7594
As of 27 August, this was the old list, and you can track the rollout of OAL via the main thread: Iberia, AA, Aer Lingus (Transatlantic routed limited to 09/10 Sep Only), Finnair, JAL, Malaysia, Qatar, SAS, Brussels, Egyptair, Precision Air, Cathay Pacific and Etihad, Saudia, Gulf, Qantas, Tradewind Aviation, Interjet, LATAM, Air France, KLM, Air New Zealand, Philippine Airlines, EVA Air, Kenya Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Baltic, Air Atlantic, Croatia and Vueling. Between LHR/MAN and SIN only for Economy passengers, Singapore Airlines is allowed. Between LON and SOF only, Bulgaria is allowed. Between London and Newcastle, Leeds and Edinburgh BA can rebook via the LNER rail company. Suspended then but now allowed: Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian
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): here
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.[/left]
Help Desk: practical assistance for those affected by strikes on 9, 10, 27 Sep
Sep 24, 2019, 11:45 am
#1486
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 19
Not sure if this is the right thread so point me in the right direction if necessary.
ive just checked into my flight LHR-LAS for 25/9 and it’s already showing as delayed. How can I check where the delay is coming from?
plus on my boarding pass it states “your passport and/or visa must be checked at the airport. Please see a BA rep at the airport”.
Ive completed APIS and have a valid ESTA. What gives?. Trying not to stress but it doesn’t take much with me!
ive just checked into my flight LHR-LAS for 25/9 and it’s already showing as delayed. How can I check where the delay is coming from?
plus on my boarding pass it states “your passport and/or visa must be checked at the airport. Please see a BA rep at the airport”.
Ive completed APIS and have a valid ESTA. What gives?. Trying not to stress but it doesn’t take much with me!
Sep 24, 2019, 11:48 am
#1487
Join Date: May 2016
Location: EDI
Programs: Was BA GGL but no longer travelling
Posts: 583
Getting passport checked at the airport is absolutely normal. You'll get it checked at the bag drop, if dropping bags. if no bags you'll need to go to any BA desk prior to boarding - you may also be "tannoyed", Otherwise, it'll be checked when boarding - and it takes a few minutes so that upsets everyone behind you.
I never check in a bag so I always get it checked in Edinburgh when I got o the lounge, and that means it's all good for when I finally board my flight from Heathrow or Gatwick.
I never check in a bag so I always get it checked in Edinburgh when I got o the lounge, and that means it's all good for when I finally board my flight from Heathrow or Gatwick.
Sep 24, 2019, 12:01 pm
#1488
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,252
Sep 24, 2019, 12:03 pm
#1489
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
At least one thing is for sure: none of this has anything to do with the strikes!
Sep 24, 2019, 12:22 pm
#1490
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 19
Thanks all for your responses.
its no longer show as delayed - weird one but your explanation makes sense.
i have a bag to check in and a copy of my ESTA if they need to see it. I’ve been so stressed this evening - just as much as if I was waiting to be called for a standby flight (those days are long gone now).
Hopefully this message is fairly common and if they were concerned with my docs I’m sure they wouldn’t have let me have a boarding pass.
its no longer show as delayed - weird one but your explanation makes sense.
i have a bag to check in and a copy of my ESTA if they need to see it. I’ve been so stressed this evening - just as much as if I was waiting to be called for a standby flight (those days are long gone now).
Hopefully this message is fairly common and if they were concerned with my docs I’m sure they wouldn’t have let me have a boarding pass.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:04 pm
#1491
Join Date: May 2016
Location: EDI
Programs: Was BA GGL but no longer travelling
Posts: 583
Exactly. Just relax, thousands of people do this daily and the system works. You won't even need your ESTA, it's all on record along with your passport number (hence the API you completed). But I still have a printed copy of mine, even though I'm currently on my 14th journey on this ESTA. Old habits die hard....
Just relax, you'll be fine.
Just relax, you'll be fine.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:37 pm
#1492
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 68
Judging from an earlier post from Geordie_Flyer, there should be some sort of check-in link. Now it wasn't totally clear but it seems that was in MMB, and/or there may have been something in the email.
From what I can make out, it is built on an existing relationship that BA has with First Great Western. It has long been possible to book services from (e.g.) Exeter to Shanghai with a train sector on BA. So FGW appears to be used as a mechanism already in place, only drawing on National Rail sectors. Online check in for the flights is the normal process, but for the train (and coach) components OLCI starts at 72 hours. Incidentally train sectors do not normally award Avios or TPs so this will be an ORC, and we are now told that you do the ORC by claiming using the usual link in BA.com for missing credits on BAEC.
Does this link help? Use your surname and BA PNR.
https://check-in.accesrail.com/#/step1
Maybe one day BA can expand this a bit more for wider train + plane use UK wide.
From what I can make out, it is built on an existing relationship that BA has with First Great Western. It has long been possible to book services from (e.g.) Exeter to Shanghai with a train sector on BA. So FGW appears to be used as a mechanism already in place, only drawing on National Rail sectors. Online check in for the flights is the normal process, but for the train (and coach) components OLCI starts at 72 hours. Incidentally train sectors do not normally award Avios or TPs so this will be an ORC, and we are now told that you do the ORC by claiming using the usual link in BA.com for missing credits on BAEC.
Does this link help? Use your surname and BA PNR.
https://check-in.accesrail.com/#/step1
Maybe one day BA can expand this a bit more for wider train + plane use UK wide.
Have checked in for the train on Friday.
The BA PNR and the link worked for everyone on the booking.
Seem to have been issued an anytime 1st ticket valid for any train on Friday!
Downside is no reserved seats does anyone have any ideas how to reserve one? (Through LNER?)
2000 train- unsure how busy that'll be.
Sep 24, 2019, 2:00 pm
#1493
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
In First there will be seats on that service, it will typically be about half full.
You could try the LNER Customer Service Centre, which happens to be located in Cramlington, Northumberland. There number is
03457 225 333
open 07:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs.
Or you can try Twitter I guess.
Otherwise you have go to the booking office in Kings Cross, but the cut off I think it 2 hours before departure for LNER.
Thanks for confirming the link works, was that with the accessrail link above?
You could try the LNER Customer Service Centre, which happens to be located in Cramlington, Northumberland. There number is
03457 225 333
open 07:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs.
Or you can try Twitter I guess.
Otherwise you have go to the booking office in Kings Cross, but the cut off I think it 2 hours before departure for LNER.
Thanks for confirming the link works, was that with the accessrail link above?
Sep 24, 2019, 3:07 pm
#1494
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 68
In First there will be seats on that service, it will typically be about half full.
You could try the LNER Customer Service Centre, which happens to be located in Cramlington, Northumberland. There number is
03457 225 333
open 07:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs.
Or you can try Twitter I guess.
Otherwise you have go to the booking office in Kings Cross, but the cut off I think it 2 hours before departure for LNER.
Thanks for confirming the link works, was that with the accessrail link above?
You could try the LNER Customer Service Centre, which happens to be located in Cramlington, Northumberland. There number is
03457 225 333
open 07:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs.
Or you can try Twitter I guess.
Otherwise you have go to the booking office in Kings Cross, but the cut off I think it 2 hours before departure for LNER.
Thanks for confirming the link works, was that with the accessrail link above?
Very straightforward & you get downloadable pdf tickets.
Bizarrely quite looking forward to the train. Used to get it quite frequently but haven't done so for 3/4yrs.
Sep 24, 2019, 3:14 pm
#1495
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
If your on a morning train the at seat British breakfast is outstanding. My Labrador swears by the sausages.
Oct 3, 2019, 4:43 am
#1496
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 517
Hi all,
Quick question - has anyone had any luck with their EC261 duty of care claims for the early September strikes yet? I submitted my hotel expenses etc. at the time and haven't heard anything back from BA so far and wondering if I should start chasing. The refund of the cancelled flights came back pretty promptly.
Thanks
J
Quick question - has anyone had any luck with their EC261 duty of care claims for the early September strikes yet? I submitted my hotel expenses etc. at the time and haven't heard anything back from BA so far and wondering if I should start chasing. The refund of the cancelled flights came back pretty promptly.
Thanks
J
Oct 4, 2019, 3:40 pm
#1497
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
Hi all,
Quick question - has anyone had any luck with their EC261 duty of care claims for the early September strikes yet? I submitted my hotel expenses etc. at the time and haven't heard anything back from BA so far and wondering if I should start chasing. The refund of the cancelled flights came back pretty promptly.
Thanks
J
Quick question - has anyone had any luck with their EC261 duty of care claims for the early September strikes yet? I submitted my hotel expenses etc. at the time and haven't heard anything back from BA so far and wondering if I should start chasing. The refund of the cancelled flights came back pretty promptly.
Thanks
J