There's a new British Airways strike planned for July 19-August 1, on top of the current labor strike that ends July 16. Some of my clients and readers have been asking about it, as well as what kind of compensation may apply, so I'll cover that here.
Why British Airways Crew Are Striking
The Unite union, which organized the current strike and the one over the two weeks of July 19-August 1, is striking over the sanctions BA has imposed after a contentious pay dispute, namely the loss of bonuses and travel concessions for those who have gone on strike or who strike in the future. Since 2010, British Airways has hired new flight attendants who at lower wages and with fewer benefits than veteran crew members, resulting in a Mixed Fleet crew.
British Airways states that all new flight attendants earn at least GBP 21,000 (~USD $27,200), although that figure takes into account not only pay, but also allowances and bonuses. About 1400 BA crew are on strike, about 25% of the Mixed Fleet total.
What Is the Actual Impact on British Airways Flights?
British Airways has wet leased 9 short haul A320 aircraft from Qatar, including pilots and cabin crew, to operate about 30 domestic UK and European flights per day. British Airways states that it intends to operate 99.5% of its scheduled flights during the strikes.
I'm Flying British Airways During One of the Strikes–Will My Flight Be Impacted?
There's no way to know this in advance. I recommend using FlightAware or another live flight tracking service to see where your aircraft is in the half day or so before your flight. If you're very risk averse and you booked an award flight on British Airways, you could opt to redeposit your award if you find another award or paid flight that works well for you. There won't be a waiver for the redeposit fee, however.
Make sure that British Airways has your correct contact information, so that you'll be notified of any flight delays, cancellations, or changes.
If My British Airways Flight is Delayed or Cancelled, What Are My Options?
Since British Airways is still an EU carrier, covered by EC 261/2004, British Airways is obliged to give passengers on cancelled flights the option of a refund of the unused (unflown) flight segment(s), or rerouting under similar conditions at the earliest opportunity, or a future flight to the same destination in the future, subject to the availability of seats. See EU Compensation for a Flight Delay.
If your British Airways is delayed but not cancelled, then British Airways should provide, per EC261/2004:
- Meals and refreshments (most likely a voucher) in proportion to waiting time
- Hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and hotel, if a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary.
Cash Compensation Does NOT Apply, as a Labor Strike is Considered an Extraordinary Circumstance
If your British Airways flight is cancelled, you will not, however, be entitled to any cash compensation, since a labor strike is an extraordinary circumstance not under the airline's control.
Will My Credit Card Provide Any Type of Coverage if My British Airways Flight is Delayed or Canceled?
Check your credit card benefit terms. In the case of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Trip Delay reimbursement is $500 per ticket for which you have paid some portion of the cost with your Sapphire Reserve, if your trip is delayed 6 hours or more or requires an overnight stay due to a covered hazard, which includes labor strikes, as well as inclement weather and equipment failure. The $500 is for reasonable expenses, such as hotel, meals, toiletries and medication that you need during the delay. Go to eclaimsline.com to start your claim, and be sure to keep all receipts.
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