But while the timing of the BA strike is now clear, the impact of the industrial action on specific routes remains unknown and passengers are still waiting for news of cancellations.
With hopes of reconciliation between the Unite union and
BA has been working round the clock to finalise details of its flying schedule. Its
BA predicts that 100 per cent of long-haul services from
Franchise, codeshare and alliance flights operated by partner carriers will run as normal.
Passengers who are due to fly with BA between 19 – 31 March have the option of re-booking onto an alternative flight on the same route for travel any time in the next 12 months.
Contrary to previous reports, passengers can also cancel their booking and request a refund immediately – but anyone wishing to do this must act quickly, as BA’s strike refund policy states: “This option will only be available until we have finalised our flying schedule.” The amended route network has already been partially published, so only customers who are still awaiting news of their service can request a refund.
Passengers due to fly long-haul out of Gatwick or London City will still be subject to standard rules for re-booking, as it is not expected that those flights will be disrupted by the walkouts.
It depends when you booked your flight. Policies taken out before strike dates were announced should protect you, though the Association of British Insurers has warned that some providers may refuse claims for policies purchased as early as 22 February (when Unite initially declared that walkouts are imminent). You should check the terms and conditions of your agreement and contact your provider.
Your insurer will only pay out if you are delayed for more than 12 hours, and few providers will stump up if you voluntarily decide to cancel your trip, when you could have simply postponed it. Package holiday travellers are in a stronger position as it is their tour operator’s legal responsibility to make alternative arrangements for all elements of the holiday it has provided, including flights, accommodation and car hire.
BA has known about the strike threat for months and several measures are in the pipeline to keep services running. Central to the contingency planning is the airline’s volunteer programme, which has seen 6,000 staff members from across the company put their name forward to help keep flights operational during the strike. This number includes at least 1,000 fully-trained and certified stand-in cabin crew.
The airline is also banking on large numbers of flight attendants breaking ranks with their trade union and crossing the picket line. Around 4,000 BA cabin crew abstained from voting in the latest strike ballot, and other employees may be scared off striking by the threat of losing their staff travel perks.
Additionally, BA management have leased out 23 fully-staffed aircraft from other carriers, as well as making deals with partner carriers to transfer passengers onto alternative flights.
The airline’s dispute with cabin crew has had so many twists and turns that Cheapflights is wary of speculating on whether or not an amicable resolution over the BA strike remains possible.
Here’s what we do know: both sides have had months to reach an agreement, and have consistently failed to do so; Unite’s cabin crew members have repeatedly voiced support for pressing ahead with strike action; and BA management have displayed no appetite whatsoever for giving ground. Though back-door negotiations could ultimately bear fruit, air passengers are strongly advised to prepare for the worst.
Sadly yes, this is highly likely. Unite has ruled out staging industrial action over the Easter period, but all other dates remain up in the air. When the union announced the BA strike dates for March, chief spokesman Len McCluskey explicitly warned that walkouts will resume after Easter if the airline fails to accede to cabin crews’ demands. BA boss Willie Walsh is not expected to back down.
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