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 12, 2019, 1:35 am
#1307
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,899
Sep 12, 2019, 1:39 am
#1308
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,918
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 12, 2019, 1:40 am
#1309
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: 63,849
Yes. easyJet, like many LCCs, have developed their own GDS solution which deals with the mainly point to point business model. Consequently BA simply can't book, or indeed reconcile, bookings on U2. In my time on this forum I can only recall one occasion where BA rebooked someone on to U2, in extremis. They are also not IATA members, so they are not part of the protocols that cover interlined passengers within IATA's membership.
Sep 12, 2019, 2:13 am
#1310
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Pyrite
Posts: 179
I made a preemptive change a few weeks ago to a flight+car booking potentially affected by industrial action on the 27th September. I initially called the BA Holidays line and was shunted between three different agents before being placed on hold. After 40 minutes of hold I'd had enough and called the gold line. There's a flight + car/hotel option reasonably early in the call menu. I suspect this might go to the same Holidays team but there seemed to be some prioritisation for BAEC members given I didn't have to wait that long to talk to somebody.
Sep 12, 2019, 5:16 am
#1311
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275
For anyone who are travelling on the 26 Sep, the day before the 2nd round of strike, guidelines for rebooking following cancelled flights can be found at
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=5207
Information for 27 Sep are still pending.
For rebooking to non-BA airlines, the majority of the options for the 1st round of strike are still here, but EI, QF, RJ are still "awaiting agreement", and AY is not available to non-JB routes (as of 1200BST).
Unlike 1st round of strike, not all BA flights from outstations are cancelled on 27 Sep.
From LAX, 1 out of 3 runs on 26 Sep, whilst 2 out of 3 runs on 27 Sep.
From JFK, 5 flights run on 26 Sep, and 2 runs on 27 Sep.
From AMS, 2 flights to LHR and 1 flight from LHR (!) are still selling tickets for 27 Sep
From HKG, no flights for the 27th but 26th runs normally
Travel re-arrangement should be a bit easier than 9/10 Sep.
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=5207
Information for 27 Sep are still pending.
For rebooking to non-BA airlines, the majority of the options for the 1st round of strike are still here, but EI, QF, RJ are still "awaiting agreement", and AY is not available to non-JB routes (as of 1200BST).
Unlike 1st round of strike, not all BA flights from outstations are cancelled on 27 Sep.
From LAX, 1 out of 3 runs on 26 Sep, whilst 2 out of 3 runs on 27 Sep.
From JFK, 5 flights run on 26 Sep, and 2 runs on 27 Sep.
From AMS, 2 flights to LHR and 1 flight from LHR (!) are still selling tickets for 27 Sep
From HKG, no flights for the 27th but 26th runs normally
Travel re-arrangement should be a bit easier than 9/10 Sep.
Sep 12, 2019, 5:21 am
#1312
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,990
For anyone who are travelling on the 26 Sep, the day before the 2nd round of strike, guidelines for rebooking following cancelled flights can be found at
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=5207
Information for 27 Sep are still pending.
For rebooking to non-BA airlines, the majority of the options for the 1st round of strike are still here, but EI, QF, RJ are still "awaiting agreement", and AY is not available to non-JB routes (as of 1200BST).
...
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=5207
Information for 27 Sep are still pending.
For rebooking to non-BA airlines, the majority of the options for the 1st round of strike are still here, but EI, QF, RJ are still "awaiting agreement", and AY is not available to non-JB routes (as of 1200BST).
...
Sep 12, 2019, 5:30 am
#1313
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275
Several post (including myself) suggest that if you travel on 27 Sep you might get offered non-BA alternatives by calling up BA directly, and that happened just days after the dates of the strike are announced.
Sep 12, 2019, 5:32 am
#1314
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,990
Have you already got a BA light on the 27 September rebooked on another carrier?
Sep 12, 2019, 5:49 am
#1315
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275
I get rebooked in early Sep to AY by calling to BA directly (Avios redemption). Originally plan to travel on 27 Sep evening HKG-LHR, now moved to AY departing in early morning (late night on the 26th).
Sep 12, 2019, 6:26 am
#1317
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,348
I mentioned this upthread, but after my 9th Sept flight was cancelled, i booked my own flight on Jet 2. I applied for a refund from BA, and also put in a request through the complaint form for them to pay the difference between my BA flights and Jet 2 ones. They agreed to this - although there are no guarantees that they would do this for others. Having said that, they've yet to actually pay me the money, so guess i'll have to chase up.
Sep 12, 2019, 7:19 am
#1318
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 464
I had a BA-operated IB award booked in J for next week (17 Sep) that was just canceled. I'm not overly optimistic, but it seems best course of action might be (i) call BA and see if they'll open some award space on another BA flight, then (ii) calling Iberia to book the new seat.
Any chance BA and IB will coordinate to do this in one call? Even though the ticket is on IB stock, I figure I'll call BA first since IB support is usually not helpful.
Any chance BA and IB will coordinate to do this in one call? Even though the ticket is on IB stock, I figure I'll call BA first since IB support is usually not helpful.
Sep 12, 2019, 8:09 am
#1319
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,243
Yes my flight is just cancelled on the 27th. September. However BA.com not showing it cancelled. (EF did show) BA was rebooked us on Air France. I suggest call now if you have any bookings on the 27th.
Sep 12, 2019, 8:11 am
#1320
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,243
BA started to cancel all flights for the 27th September. BA.com might not show this but if you call they can check it. So I suggest to call now before the sms, emails goes out everyone.