This thread is here to help the BA FT community be prepared for strikes that may affect BA operations, that is, not only airline strikes, but also ATC (air traffic control) strikes, flights affecting BA operations (ground staff, luggage, catering, security personnel, etc) and flight related administrations (e.g. border force).

In this Wiki, we will:
- List key strike dates
- Include information on how to get informed and what you can expect if your BA trip may be affected

Please also check the first two posts for key information.

1) Forthcoming strikes:

- 31/3 to 9/4: Planned security staff strike at Heathrow - possible significant disruptions if no agreement is found before there

- 27/3 major strike in Germany - significant disruptions planned, FRA closed

- 20/3-23/3 and possible extension beyond: Broad strike in France affecting many sectors in society including Air Traffic control. This may result in some flight cancellations and significant delays, particularly on Thursday 23. ATC is requesting airlines to cancel 20-30% of flights. Note that apart from the airline operation effects, public transport to/from airports will likely be broadly affected and demonstrations may lead to road closures. Other strikes may be possible in coming weeks.

2) How can I get informed about strikes and whether they may affect my trips with BA?

- BA will often have a note on a yellow background on their website about events affecting many of its operations on their home page

- They may also update the "travel news" section of the website with information

- Strikes can have an effect at any time, but often, BA will pro-actively cancel flights if it is required to or expects it will need to. This most often happens between 24 and 48 hours before flight departure although it can happen later as well. Check manage my booking for information

- Some strikes - notably ATC - will also lead to significant delays. The most accurate information comes from the app which is normally updated in real. Check your expected departure time but also your expected arrival time! If you see no departure delay but a significant expected arrival delay this may (although not necessarily) mean that your flight is subject to ATC delay and that the airline currently expects that your flight may board on time but you may be stuck at the airport for a while before the plane can leave (improvements can occur).

3) What can I expect if I am affected?

- If your flight is cancelled, you will normally be able to either cancel your trip and get a full refund or get rebooked on any other BA service on the same or a nearby day where there is space in your class of travel regardless of bucket (note: BA will not allow to rebook you in a higher travel class for free) or move to any other date if there is space in the same bucket (the "letter" you were booked in)

- If your flight is cancelled and BA cannot reroute you on the same day on its own flights, it has to allow rebooking on other airlines (primarily but not only JV partners)

- Even if your flight is not cancelled, BA may sometimes allow all customers flying during the period of disruption to change flights anyway. This is not automatically allowed. Check information in MMB or on this thread for more information

4) Will I be taken care of? Will I get compensation?

- If the disruption is sufficiently long, BA will have to provide you with food and drink (usually in the form of a voucher unless you have lounge access) and if it is overnight with accommodation. BA will pay for this or you can book directly. Note that BA's normal limit for reimbursement is £200 per room for two people sharing on a B&B basis. If you spend more than than you will likely be refused full reimbursement. If you pay more because there is genuinely no cheaper alternative, make sure you collect evidence (e.g. screenshots of major travel websites etc). Check the main EC261 travel compensation thread for information.

- If the strike is outside of BA's control (eg. ATC), you will not be eligible for compensation. If it is due to the airline's own operations (e.g. BA personnel, their contracted ground staff, etc) you may be eligible for compensation. Check the main EC261 travel compensation thread for information: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...261-uk261.html