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 13, 2019, 8:16 pm
#1396
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275
So KL is not currently on the list of bookable airlines but "agreement is pending" -- and it was on the previous list. Anybody with any sense as to how quickly they are working to close these? I have to get back from PRG-YYZ and abhor the AC balloon seats so trying to avoid by going any other way. OK is also not on the list and a bunch of the allowable carriers (e.g. SN) have their flights ex-PRG operated by OK so I'm out of luck.
Not sure how fast will the list be growing further, only a few more were announced after the initial list was announced
Sep 13, 2019, 8:40 pm
#1397
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: 63,847
I had a BA holiday booking BOS->LHR on the 28th cancelled (the day flight). 20 mins wait on silver line and managed to get rebooked onto AA BOS-JFK-LHR, still on day flights.
Only issue is I've been booked across to AA on a 'B' code which AA interpret as Basic economy, so I cant book a seat (and more crucially claim my free MCE seat). I phoned up and had no success with either BA or the clueless AA agent she transferred me to eventually. AA twitter no help either - any suggestions on how to resolve?
Only issue is I've been booked across to AA on a 'B' code which AA interpret as Basic economy, so I cant book a seat (and more crucially claim my free MCE seat). I phoned up and had no success with either BA or the clueless AA agent she transferred me to eventually. AA twitter no help either - any suggestions on how to resolve?
Sep 13, 2019, 8:42 pm
#1398
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: 63,847
What instructions did you get for claiming the extra hotel night? My 9 p.m. LAX-LHR-Tel Aviv flight on 9/27 was cancelled and I rebooked on an earlier flight that same day. I'll get into Tel Aviv a night earlier than originally and need to find out how to submit the hotel expense to BA.
ba.com/delay
Sep 13, 2019, 10:02 pm
#1399
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K MM * DL MM * HH Diamond * Marriott Lifetime Titanium * Queen's '92
Posts: 5,950
That was my first thought, but no J seats available after my meeting that get me home in time.
Sep 14, 2019, 12:49 am
#1400
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
Sep 14, 2019, 4:52 am
#1401
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
Any experience with “voluntary” downgrades due to strike cancellations? Not impacted (yet) but a BA F flight to HKG booked for October could be on a future strike date. Rebooking on CX would be the obvious approach, but staying in F would mean leaving several hours earlier vs. “downgrade” to similarly timed departure in J (is CX J really a downgrade vs BA F...)
It was a GUF1 upgrade on cash booking rather than a full cash booking so no obvious difference in fare for a refund
It was a GUF1 upgrade on cash booking rather than a full cash booking so no obvious difference in fare for a refund
Sep 14, 2019, 5:32 am
#1402
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 267
Changing a rebooked 'other carrier' itinerary
Hi FT folks,
Wonder if anyone has experience of this, or can perhaps advise?
We're still considering options for rebooking after our redemption flights in First were cancelled. We're trying hard to rearrange everything to now go Monday 16th on LH or AF, as they offer a much better connection for us than BA after a previous extreme schedule change.
As Monday 16th is the last day to travel on 'other carriers', what we wondered is if we do rebook for this Monday and find by Sunday eve that we just can't rearrange everything in time, are we able to reschedule our new LH or AF itinerary to a later date? BA say that any changes after this rebooking would revert to being dependent on Avios availability, but we wondered if we could simply call LH or AF direct to reschedule?
Grateful for any advice on this.
Wonder if anyone has experience of this, or can perhaps advise?
We're still considering options for rebooking after our redemption flights in First were cancelled. We're trying hard to rearrange everything to now go Monday 16th on LH or AF, as they offer a much better connection for us than BA after a previous extreme schedule change.
As Monday 16th is the last day to travel on 'other carriers', what we wondered is if we do rebook for this Monday and find by Sunday eve that we just can't rearrange everything in time, are we able to reschedule our new LH or AF itinerary to a later date? BA say that any changes after this rebooking would revert to being dependent on Avios availability, but we wondered if we could simply call LH or AF direct to reschedule?
Grateful for any advice on this.
Sep 14, 2019, 5:34 am
#1403
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
I'm due to return from JFK on 28 Sept. My flight (BA116) hasn't been cancelled but is still showing in red in MMB. At what point should I expect BA to make a decision on flights the day after the strike? I realise the challenge of crewing long-hauls, given that crews will be overnighting, but once BA has decided which flights on 26th/27th are operating/cancelled, surely they will know how many crew they will have at outstations (on extended stays due to the strike) ready to operate flights on 28th?
Sep 14, 2019, 5:36 am
#1404
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
Hi FT folks,
Wonder if anyone has experience of this, or can perhaps advise?
We're still considering options for rebooking after our redemption flights in First were cancelled. We're trying hard to rearrange everything to now go Monday 16th on LH or AF, as they offer a much better connection for us than BA after a previous extreme schedule change.
As Monday 16th is the last day to travel on 'other carriers', what we wondered is if we do rebook for this Monday and find by Sunday eve that we just can't rearrange everything in time, are we able to reschedule our new LH or AF itinerary to a later date? BA say that any changes after this rebooking would revert to being dependent on Avios availability, but we wondered if we could simply call LH or AF direct to reschedule?
Grateful for any advice on this.
Wonder if anyone has experience of this, or can perhaps advise?
We're still considering options for rebooking after our redemption flights in First were cancelled. We're trying hard to rearrange everything to now go Monday 16th on LH or AF, as they offer a much better connection for us than BA after a previous extreme schedule change.
As Monday 16th is the last day to travel on 'other carriers', what we wondered is if we do rebook for this Monday and find by Sunday eve that we just can't rearrange everything in time, are we able to reschedule our new LH or AF itinerary to a later date? BA say that any changes after this rebooking would revert to being dependent on Avios availability, but we wondered if we could simply call LH or AF direct to reschedule?
Grateful for any advice on this.
Sep 14, 2019, 6:10 am
#1405
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: 63,847
The usual convention here is that if rebooked on to other airlines is that the source airline still owns the ticket. So AF or LH are likely to refer you to BA anyway. The exception would be day of travel changes, but even then AF or LH would have to be forced into that position rather than letting it be done by choice.
Sep 14, 2019, 6:14 am
#1406
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: 63,847
What happened with those with red banners for 11 September was that the banner stayed in place right up to travel itself. What also happened last time was that they took a view as to which services would be cancelled and made relatively few cancellations on 11 September, just a handful of short hauls. So in essence the decision is that the service will operate, and that crews will spend - like last time perhaps an extra day in New York. Moreover the aircraft departing LHR to JFK isn't affected by the strike - logistics wise - like the daytime flights would be. So I would assume it's going to go ahead, in any event after 14 days you would be in the frame for Article 7 compensation, so I can't see BA putting itself in that position in an unnecessary way.
Sep 14, 2019, 6:36 am
#1407
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
What happened with those with red banners for 11 September was that the banner stayed in place right up to travel itself. What also happened last time was that they took a view as to which services would be cancelled and made relatively few cancellations on 11 September, just a handful of short hauls. So in essence the decision is that the service will operate, and that crews will spend - like last time perhaps an extra day in New York. Moreover the aircraft departing LHR to JFK isn't affected by the strike - logistics wise - like the daytime flights would be. So I would assume it's going to go ahead, in any event after 14 days you would be in the frame for Article 7 compensation, so I can't see BA putting itself in that position in an unnecessary way.
Sep 14, 2019, 8:09 am
#1408
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: BAEC Gold/GGL, IHG Diamond AMB
Posts: 1,074
Quick data point - had extra day out on US West Coast due to strike. Flew home via JFK and put in claim for hotel / meal and taxi. Had a call from BA the following day confirming they would pay.
It was a bit of a zoo at JFK on the 10th but the staff were brilliant plus had double OpUp so happy happy
It was a bit of a zoo at JFK on the 10th but the staff were brilliant plus had double OpUp so happy happy
Sep 14, 2019, 2:08 pm
#1409
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC, Skywards, KLM
Posts: 402
Yes. If you let the robots have a bit more time to think about it they may clean it up anyway. To be honest I don't think you need worry about an agent forcing you back on to the original booking since you can rightly point out that you have now made additional arrangements to stay in SEA. I would just focus on them deleting the GLA sector so you don't go down as a no show. There is another robotic that auto-cancels the no-shows, and it's quite possible that will be switched off during the strike period - it could easily make matters worse for contact centre staff.
Sep 14, 2019, 9:59 pm
#1410
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 361
Are you sure BA won't reroute you on to AA? They have a revenue sharing arrangement on transatlantic flights so I would think they are agnostic on who you actually fly. Nonetheless, it looks like BA66 from Philly will operate on the 27th (they're still willing to sell tickets on it, which is the big giveaway) so I suggest you ask to be put on that flight if they won't offer you an AA Flight from PHL
I see British Airways 172 is still bookable on 9/27. They currently put me on AA 100, but I'd rather leave later and arrive later if possible.