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 11, 2019, 3:17 am
#1292
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 190
Chances of extension to 2-4-1 if cancelled/refund?
Hello
Sorry if this duplicates anyone’s query as had a look and didn’t spot it.
I have a 241 booking on Sept 27th with a voucher that expires early Dec. It’s been planned a while and I won’t have opportunity (in terms of leave / weekends) to book another voucher flight in the time available before expiry, by the time cancellation confirmed (if confirmed), so the 2-4-1 will be essentially wasted and lost due to strike even though I’ll get the Avios (for 1) and charges back.
What are the chances they’d agree to some kind of voucher extension in this eventuality?
Sorry if this duplicates anyone’s query as had a look and didn’t spot it.
I have a 241 booking on Sept 27th with a voucher that expires early Dec. It’s been planned a while and I won’t have opportunity (in terms of leave / weekends) to book another voucher flight in the time available before expiry, by the time cancellation confirmed (if confirmed), so the 2-4-1 will be essentially wasted and lost due to strike even though I’ll get the Avios (for 1) and charges back.
What are the chances they’d agree to some kind of voucher extension in this eventuality?
Last edited by GCab; Sep 11, 2019 at 3:22 am
Sep 11, 2019, 3:31 am
#1293
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,252
Hello
Sorry if this duplicates anyone’s query as had a look and didn’t spot it.
I have a 241 booking on Sept 27th with a voucher that expires early Dec. It’s been planned a while and I won’t have opportunity (in terms of leave / weekends) to book another voucher flight in the time available before expiry, by the time cancellation confirmed (if confirmed), so the 2-4-1 will be essentially wasted and lost due to strike even though I’ll get the Avios (for 1) and charges back.
What are the chances they’d agree to some kind of voucher extension in this eventuality?
Sorry if this duplicates anyone’s query as had a look and didn’t spot it.
I have a 241 booking on Sept 27th with a voucher that expires early Dec. It’s been planned a while and I won’t have opportunity (in terms of leave / weekends) to book another voucher flight in the time available before expiry, by the time cancellation confirmed (if confirmed), so the 2-4-1 will be essentially wasted and lost due to strike even though I’ll get the Avios (for 1) and charges back.
What are the chances they’d agree to some kind of voucher extension in this eventuality?
Sep 11, 2019, 4:04 am
#1294
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Mucci, BAEC Silver, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,038
Having a BA Holidays package due to travel out on 20th and back overnight leaving on 27th, I understand the protection that is provided via "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018", but this does not provide much information regarding any compensation if available over and above refunds and rights. Currently this holiday has not been canceled, but the return fight is shown as at risk.
My questions are;
1. Is the "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018" in addition to EC261 or instead of.
2. If the holiday is canceled now and the money refunded by "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018" can I claim anything else for not flying out on the 20th. (I am also aware of the BA offer to rebook at the same price with 365 days).
3. If the holiday is canceled on Friday (within 14 days of return) does that change things.
4. & if EC261 applies and the holiday is canceled can I claim for a flight that is still operating on the 20th but without me due to the cancelation of my booking.
5. & again if EC261 applies and the holiday is canceled after Friday can I claim for both flights?
Many thanks for any thoughts.
My questions are;
1. Is the "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018" in addition to EC261 or instead of.
2. If the holiday is canceled now and the money refunded by "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018" can I claim anything else for not flying out on the 20th. (I am also aware of the BA offer to rebook at the same price with 365 days).
3. If the holiday is canceled on Friday (within 14 days of return) does that change things.
4. & if EC261 applies and the holiday is canceled can I claim for a flight that is still operating on the 20th but without me due to the cancelation of my booking.
5. & again if EC261 applies and the holiday is canceled after Friday can I claim for both flights?
Many thanks for any thoughts.
Sep 11, 2019, 4:16 am
#1295
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 151
BA Holiday leaving on 27 September so tested water this morning fo reroute, but after half an hour holding on Silver line was told to wait until cancellation e-mail arrives, probablyon Friday this week. Seems you can reroute on-line, even for holiday bookings. Anyone had experience of this for first set of strikes?
Sep 11, 2019, 4:38 am
#1296
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: 63,851
My questions are;
1. Is the "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018" in addition to EC261 or instead of.
2. If the holiday is canceled now and the money refunded by "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018" can I claim anything else for not flying out on the 20th. (I am also aware of the BA offer to rebook at the same price with 365 days).
3. If the holiday is canceled on Friday (within 14 days of return) does that change things.
4. & if EC261 applies and the holiday is canceled can I claim for a flight that is still operating on the 20th but without me due to the cancelation of my booking.
5. & again if EC261 applies and the holiday is canceled after Friday can I claim for both flights?
1. Is the "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018" in addition to EC261 or instead of.
2. If the holiday is canceled now and the money refunded by "Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018" can I claim anything else for not flying out on the 20th. (I am also aware of the BA offer to rebook at the same price with 365 days).
3. If the holiday is canceled on Friday (within 14 days of return) does that change things.
4. & if EC261 applies and the holiday is canceled can I claim for a flight that is still operating on the 20th but without me due to the cancelation of my booking.
5. & again if EC261 applies and the holiday is canceled after Friday can I claim for both flights?
2) That sounds like double-dipping. EC261 doesn't apply if a package is cancelled and the 2018 regulations apply (EC261 article 3.6).
3) I am sure BA would cancel very shortly if necessary. In fact I suspect it will happen tomorrow. But yes, if 2 weeks notice is given BA then the EC261 would not normally apply. However since it is the return leg only it may be better to call BA to head off problems. That said, if you are returning to the UK from somewhere, you can see what happened in the last few days to see whether in fact your flight would operate, it depends on the route and so on.
4) That sounds like a another version of (2), personally I'd call up to shift to 26 or 28 or whatever is sensible for the route. I'm not sure you would want BA to cancel the whole vacation and then you would have to rebook and claim any reasonable difference.
5) Yes, if you get less than 2 weeks notice AND no timely replacement is offered. In reality this is probably overthinking it a bit, so best call up.
Sep 11, 2019, 5:13 am
#1297
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Sep 11, 2019, 9:08 am
#1299
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond *, IHG, Couples Romance Rewards
Posts: 2,351
And I phoned up on this today to get the change made and was told the flight mco to lgw on 26th was not cancelled yet therefore they would not book me on another carrier yet but would rebook on BA with a date/time change. Good to know that the flight is not cancelled, by my reckoning they only have just over one day before eu261 compensation kicks in for flights on 26th...
Sep 11, 2019, 12:43 pm
#1301
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Aberdeenshire
Programs: BA
Posts: 1,008
What is the best way to apply for a partial refund and ORC miles and points due to a downgrade from WTP on BA to Y on EI? Do I need to call, or is there an online form to fill in? When I rebooked over the phone the agent suggested I needed to fill out a complaint but that was a few weeks ago and I wanted to wait until after I'd flown before actioning anything.
Sep 11, 2019, 3:28 pm
#1302
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,757
Quick question. I won't bore with details of today's shenanigans with the Silver Line and then CS. But I am after the ORC for my cancelled BA flight which ended up on AA in a far lower fare bucket (both seats in Y). Told by CS that it may not be a valid claim if the cancellation happened more than two weeks before the flight - which of course it did. Now I am aware that this is the case for EC261 claims however I didn't think it was the case for ORC.
Before I ring back tomorrow, can someone please clarify the situation?
Before I ring back tomorrow, can someone please clarify the situation?
Sep 11, 2019, 3:43 pm
#1303
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,990
Quick question. I won't bore with details of today's shenanigans with the Silver Line and then CS. But I am after the ORC for my cancelled BA flight which ended up on AA in a far lower fare bucket (both seats in Y). Told by CS that it may not be a valid claim if the cancellation happened more than two weeks before the flight - which of course it did. Now I am aware that this is the case for EC261 claims however I didn't think it was the case for ORC.
Before I ring back tomorrow, can someone please clarify the situation?
Before I ring back tomorrow, can someone please clarify the situation?
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...and-conditions
14.6. Where a Member is involuntarily re-routed by British Airways onto another carrier, and the original flight on which the Member was booked would have qualified for Avios points, the Member may still claim such Avios points online at Ba.com. British Airways will endeavour to ensure the Member's account is credited with the appropriate Avios points however it may be necessary for details of the Member's itinerary, including the retained segment of the boarding pass and passenger receipts to be sent to the Member's Local Service Centre in order to claim any Avios points credit.
Sep 11, 2019, 3:58 pm
#1304
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,757
I am fascinated to hear about this new two week criteria the agent has made up for ORC! Must be written in invisible ink
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...and-conditions
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...and-conditions