BA Strike Action: Advice and Information

Summary: As BA cabin crew enter the fourth day of their five-day strike, the next batch of walkouts are set to start on Saturday, 5 June.

How will passengers be affected?

The airline maintains that it is prepared for the third block-strike and that 75% of passengers flying between 5 and 9 June will remain unaffected. BA also plans to keep 80% of Heathrow long-haul flights up and running, and 60% of its shorthaul flights.

Your travel plans won't be affected by the pending strike action if you are flying from Gatwick or London City airports.

As the World Cup approaches, the airline has also stated that ALL flights to South Africa will remain unaffected.

When can I expect the situation to go back to normal?

As it stands, the Unite union and BA are yet to come to an agreement. Unite announced that a new ballot will be released in the next week for staff to vote on continued strike action. It is unclear at present whether it will hamper passengers' travel plans during the peak season.

You may refer to the BA site at any time for the latest updates and flight schedules

Last Updated: 20 May 2010

Summary: The BA cabin crew strike is back on following the High Court's verdict this morning. The court lifted an injunction against the strike, clearing the way for strike action to go ahead. The first of the five-day block strikes is due to commence on Monday 24 May.

The fresh strike dates are as follows:

• 24 to 28 May
• 30 May to 3 June
• 5 to 9 June

Who is affected by this turn of events?

In light of recent developments, the airline's main priority is to keep as many of its passengers as happy as possible. Please bear in mind BA's contingency plan outlined below.

All flights into and out of London Gatwick and London City airports will operate normally during the strike period.

However, selected Heathrow flights will be affected as follows:

• Travelling up to 23 May: For those whose flights have been cancelled, the airline requests that you please do not come to the airport. Also note that some previously cancelled flights to and from Heathrow are being reinstated.
• Travelling between 24 and 29 May: There is a confirmed schedule available for ALL flights during these dates. Feel free to check your flight status via the arrivals and departures link on the BA website.
• Travelling between 30 May and 9 June: BA plans to operate a substantial part of its longhaul schedule, while there will also be a number of flights to every destination across its shorthaul network.

Please note that BA is doing its best to minimise the disruption that is expected in the weeks ahead. Feel free to contact the airline for further information.

Last Updated: 11 May 2010

Following the threat of strike action in prior months, the BA cabin crew union has voted in favour of a series of walk-outs starting on 18 May. After a long-winded dispute with the airline that hasn't materialised into a strike as of yet, the Unite trade union has now called for another round of stay-away action.

Five-Day Block Strikes Expected:

It is predicted that as many as 2 million BA passengers will have to endure the 20 days of strike action that lie ahead, which are expected during the school half-term week. The unhappy cabin crew members intend to follow through with the five-day strikes, and go back to work for 24 hours between each strike period. The anticipated strike dates are as follows:

• 18 to 22 May
• 24 to 28 May
• 30 May to 3 June
• 5 to 9 June

BA bosses maintain that their offer is still on the table, which they describe as completely realistic and fair. They have also reiterated that they have dealt with the crew's concerns which have been part of 14 months of negotiations, and are disappointed with Unite's decision to pursue strike action.

Averting Disaster:

Fortunately, BA has stated that flights will continue as per normal during the affected period. Thanks to the excellent support levels of the cabin crew at London Gatwick, the airline is confident that all incoming and outbound flights will operate normally from this airport.

Heathrow flights are also expected to remain unaffected. BA intends to operate a substantial part of its longhaul schedule, and to proceed with many flights across its shorthaul network.

The airline is also in the midst of talks with other carriers to arrange extra aircraft, in case the need arises. Another precautionary measure will involve making seats from other airlines available for customers to rebook in the event of cancelled flights.

Last Updated: 15th March 2010

If you are due to fly with British Airways over the Easter period you may be concerned about BA strike action.

According to Unite, the BA cabin crew strike is set to take place for three days from 20 March and for four days from 27 March.

There has been talk of further British Airways strikes after 14th April which would be timed with the half-term holiday for many UK schools, which runs from from the 2nd to the 19th April. However, this is yet unconfirmed.

BA has stated that it will announce a revised flying schedule a couple of days prior to the start of the BA Easter strike.

British Airways Strike Implications

If you have booked a ticket during the affected period, you'll be interested to know where this news leaves you. We have compiled the following Q & A to bring you the latest relevant information and advice.

A freephone helpline has also been set up by British Airways to assist anyone concerned by the BA strike threat. The phone number is: 0800 727 800

• Flights from London City (including long haul flights to New York) will operate as normal.
• At Gatwick, all long haul services will continue as normal, as will around 50 % of short haul flights.
• Heathrow is expected to be hit the hardest, however BA plans to try and maintain a substantial part of the flight programme.

Will BA offer me an alternative flight?

British Airways state advise that if you are booked to travel during the strike period, you will be able to switch to a different BA flight departing in the next 12 months at no additional cost. Unfortunately, those who booked their flights ahead of the Easter weekend in early April are likely to be the most affected.

If you're wondering what the chances are of getting an acceptable alternative flight, it really is a matter of supply and demand. The more people try to book their alternative flights, the more expensive tickets will be. At the same time, other airlines such as BMI are looking to increase their flying capacity, in order to accommodate those needing alternative flights.

If my flights are affected due the BA strike action, will I get a refund?

BA has announced that there will be three options should the easter strikes take place:

• Re-route: An ideal option would be to simply re-route your flight instead of you having to rebook or cancel.
• Rebook: If you are booked to travel between 19 and 31 March 2010, you do have the choice of rebooking your flight with the airline - or otherwise a different airline that is able to accommodate you.
• Refund: This will only apply if your flight is cancelled and BA isn't able to find you an alternative flight.

Will I be compensated?

Sadly, this isn't very likely, given the European Commission rules. According to these, passengers are entitled to a small amount of compensation if the flight is cancelled, but a get-out clause does exist if the airline can prove 'extraordinary circumstances'. A strike, such as the British Airways Strike, is considered as 'extraordinary' by many airlines. However, according to the Air Transport Users' Council watchdog, this is yet to be fully tested in court.

What if I booked through a tour operator/ travel agent?

If they are unable to offer you an alternative flight, they are legally responsible for giving you the full refund from BA. However, this compensation must come from the airline, not from the tour operator or travel agent.

Last updated below: December 2009

If you are a British Airways passenger having already finalised your booking with the airline, you may be concerned how the threat of BA strike action will affect you.

Currently, the BA strike, is planned to take place between 22 December and 2 January 2010. If you are travelling outside these dates, your travel plans with British Airways should not be affected.

If you are travelling between these dates you will be pleased to know that whilst the situation may not be ideal, many of your rights as a passenger are protected.

BA Cabin Crew Strike: Advice if the BA Strike Takes Place

As of yet, there is no official announcement from BA about which flights will be affected, by the BA cabin crew strike.

However, if a strike takes place, it is likely to cancel a large majority of the 650 British Airways flights in and out of Heathrow and Gatwick, every day during the 22nd December to 2nd January 2010.

British Airways domestic flights are suggested to be a primary target for BA strike action given the fact that passengers can opt for an alternative form of transportation. Nonetheless, international flights are not being ruled out at this point.

The most important factor for many of us if our flights are cancelled is whether or not we are entitled to a refund. As far as help and compensation is concerned the options are:

• British Airways states that in the event of strike action there are three options: re-route, rebook or refund. You are only entitled to a full refund if your flight is cancelled and the airline is unable to find you an alternative flight.
• British Airways is responsible for organising your alternative travel arrangements, as well as overnight accommodation and transfers if need be.
• If you are delayed at the airport, BA also has to provide money or vouchers to cover the expenses of meals and refreshments.
• If you have booked your British Airways flights through a travel agent and they are unable to offer you an alternative flight, they are legally required to offer you a full refund from the airline but they themselves are not required to pay out the designated amount.

If you are wondering how to go about requesting your refund from BA, airline authorities say that they will inform affected passengers directly via e-mail or text. These customers are urged to double check their details provided at the time of their booking as these will be used for contact purposes.

According to a new European Commission ruling, if a passenger's flight is cancelled, they are entitled to a limited amount of compensation from the airline unless the airline can prove that there are 'extraordinary circumstances' involved. Even though airlines tend to view a strike as 'extraordinary', this has not yet been fully tested in court.

As full refund, or a flight substitute is offered by British Airways, and indeed most airlines in the event of strike action, travel insurance does not ordinarily cover strike action. Essential Travel Insurance does, however, offer cover in the event of scheduled airline failure. Please contact us for further information.

About the BA Strike

The threatened British Airways cabin crew strike is in reaction to changes made around the 13, 500 staff members' working conditions. Cabin crew have stated that they are unhappy with the aftermath of the recession which has caused numerous job cuts and contract changes.

BA's chief executive Willie Walsh has stated that the airline wishes to limit the effects of the strike action on its passengers. British Airways is in the process of entering into negotiations with the Unite union, the respective body with whom the outcome will be decided.