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
#811
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 37
Changing my 10/9 booking online continued to results in "unknown error"
After over an hour on hold for Silver line, I spoke to Ilysha (apologies for spelling) who managed to grab the one remaining seat on the 11/9 flight for me.
BA staff are so often delightful and helpful .......
I only wish that BA management could learn how to manage.
After over an hour on hold for Silver line, I spoke to Ilysha (apologies for spelling) who managed to grab the one remaining seat on the 11/9 flight for me.
BA staff are so often delightful and helpful .......
I only wish that BA management could learn how to manage.
#812
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Programs: BA Exec Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 391
We are due to fly INV/LHR/LAS on 8th September, returning on 24th. I’ve had 6 emails from BA - 2 (duplicated I suspect) advising that the outbound flights are cancelled. I’ve then had a further email advising that they are now operating as planned. I’ve checked Manage my Booking - I received a pop up advising I can reschedule the flights and the outbound flights are indeed showing as red.
Question for those more experienced people please- my immediate reaction is “nothing to worry about, carry on as planned and be grateful you aren’t impacted by the strikes”. Am I missing something though? Without expecting anyone to predict the future are my outbound flights now at greater risk than any others and should I consider alternatives ?
Thank you
#813
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: 63,804
#814
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
Hopefully you have digested the wiki and the other posts and screen shots above: if you have a red text it means you can rebook. If you have "confirmed" it is HK and you need do nothing, your flight isn't cancelled. If you have thin red lines through the flight details your flight is cancelled.
[Can someone post a duly edited screenshot of a truly cancelled flight with the thin lines? That may help others].
[Can someone post a duly edited screenshot of a truly cancelled flight with the thin lines? That may help others].
What I want to know is how I can see the HK - where does it appear? I went and looked up the booking on the Finnair (excellent thank you @LTNPhobia).
What I also noticed by complete accident is that I have a flight from VLC on the 12th and that is in red - not crossed out and I have had no email either.
Seriously - these are not flight for Buiness, Medical purposes, Family or friends events, or Connections to Long Haul and there is no problem if any of us travelled days later. Fur us, it is a bore and a niusance. For others it is far more and very concerning so without (I hope!) sounding the least bit righteous, I am far less affected than others
#815
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
I think you may only be able to see the specific letters "HK" as such if you have access to a TA-type display. Everything that's truly public-facing is likely to use the word "confirmed".
#816
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: 63,804
What I want to know is how I can see the HK - where does it appear? I went and looked up the booking on the Finnair (excellent thank you @LTNPhobia).
#817
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Programs: BA Exec Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 391
#818
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
Hopefully you have digested the wiki and the other posts and screen shots above: if you have a red text it means you can rebook. If you have "confirmed" it is HK and you need do nothing, your flight isn't cancelled. If you have thin red lines through the flight details your flight is cancelled.
[Can someone post a duly edited screenshot of a truly cancelled flight with the thin lines? That may help others].
[Can someone post a duly edited screenshot of a truly cancelled flight with the thin lines? That may help others].
#819
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275
Updates from BA Travel Trade:
Effective 1100BST 25 Aug, Anyone who have their flights cancelled by BA will now be able to rebook on MH (Malaysia Airlines) for the travel period 03-16 Sep. This cover the cancelled BA flights on 08-11 Sep.
Rebook to the lowest class available in same cabin.
Other changes:
Reinstate handling extend to any flights that was originally marked as cancelled, not just on 10 Sep specifically
Customer travelling on flights that was incorrectly cancelled can still request refund; conversely, passengers cancelled the reinstated flights can request to be rebooked back to that flight. Original fare will be honoured.
Part-Refund is possible if outbound sector is affected and passengers wish to travel just the inbound flights, but the ticket need to be reissued.
Effective 1100BST 25 Aug, Anyone who have their flights cancelled by BA will now be able to rebook on MH (Malaysia Airlines) for the travel period 03-16 Sep. This cover the cancelled BA flights on 08-11 Sep.
Rebook to the lowest class available in same cabin.
Other changes:
Reinstate handling extend to any flights that was originally marked as cancelled, not just on 10 Sep specifically
Customer travelling on flights that was incorrectly cancelled can still request refund; conversely, passengers cancelled the reinstated flights can request to be rebooked back to that flight. Original fare will be honoured.
Part-Refund is possible if outbound sector is affected and passengers wish to travel just the inbound flights, but the ticket need to be reissued.
#820
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: 63,804
#821
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,334
Is it just my impression or corporate-wage-slave provides better service and knowledge than almost the whole corporate comms department of BA?
Soon we need to start a donation website so he/she and his/her wife/husband/partner can have a proper dinner on FT
D
Soon we need to start a donation website so he/she and his/her wife/husband/partner can have a proper dinner on FT
D
#822
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275
Just tried the updated wiki, seems the link to the 2 images/post does not work, they all pointed back to Page 1 of this thread.
Meanwhile... I wish someone would be able to search the flight (and reservation) status for BA28/32 (HKG-LHR) on 26 Sep as shown in Expertflyer, as unfortunately I'm actually travelling on the 27th! *facepalm*
Meanwhile... I wish someone would be able to search the flight (and reservation) status for BA28/32 (HKG-LHR) on 26 Sep as shown in Expertflyer, as unfortunately I'm actually travelling on the 27th! *facepalm*
#823
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275
Further updates from BA Travel Trade on rebooking non-BA operators at 1525BST 25 Aug:
Specifically for bookings from TLV to Europe, NYC/BOS/MIA/YYZ/LAX/SFO/LAS: Rebooking can now be made to LY (EL AL) eff. 1445BST 25 Aug, rebooking can only be made to specific booking classes for all cabin types, hence limited availability. Original travel dates and rebooking period the same as other non-BA rebooking. Redemption included.
For re-booking onto QR for redemption tickets ONLY: Eff. 1400BST 25 Aug, the specific restriction of "BA F and J cabin book into U, for Y cabin book into X" has been replaced by "First - rebook lowest available class in Business cabin, Club and Economy - lowest class available in the same cabin", effectively lifting the booking class availability limitation. Note BA F redemption can still only rebook onto QR Business, but BA F Cash ticket can rebook onto QR First if available.
Specifically for bookings from TLV to Europe, NYC/BOS/MIA/YYZ/LAX/SFO/LAS: Rebooking can now be made to LY (EL AL) eff. 1445BST 25 Aug, rebooking can only be made to specific booking classes for all cabin types, hence limited availability. Original travel dates and rebooking period the same as other non-BA rebooking. Redemption included.
For re-booking onto QR for redemption tickets ONLY: Eff. 1400BST 25 Aug, the specific restriction of "BA F and J cabin book into U, for Y cabin book into X" has been replaced by "First - rebook lowest available class in Business cabin, Club and Economy - lowest class available in the same cabin", effectively lifting the booking class availability limitation. Note BA F redemption can still only rebook onto QR Business, but BA F Cash ticket can rebook onto QR First if available.
#824
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 11
after 2 hours waiting on the phone last night I was able to change a flight from BA to Finnair on September 27th without any arguments.
Last edited by bmb7jiw; Aug 25, 2019 at 8:56 am
#825
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275