BA Strike: Your guide to your rights

Cabin crew plan to strike (again). If you are a BA ticket holder what do you do?

By TTM on 23 February 2010 in Travel Articles

The BA strike fiasco is causing confusion for travellers who are wondering what they should do and whether or not their travel insurance will cover them in the event of the strike. Here is our guide to what you can expect:

I have a ticket to fly with BA during the strike period. What can I do?

Your first port of call should be British Airways. Get in touch to ensure that they have your contact details to keep you abreast of the situation. Ask if they can book you on a new flight. Check their website for this information on www.britishairways.com or call customer services 0844 493 0787 in the UK (daily 0600-2000 local time)  
1 800 247 9297 (1 800 AIRWAYS) in the US (daily 0700-0100 local time).

If you have a fully flexible ticket you may be able to manage your booking online at the Manage My Booking link

Can I change my flight?

According to British Airways passengers with either a flexible or restricted ticket and are due to fly during the potential strike window and 48 hours on either side of the strike window may change their bookings for a date up to 12 months in the future with no penalty.

Either get in touch with BA direct or your travel agent.

But I have to be at my destination on a specific date which falls during the strike period. If I buy another ticket with another airline am I entitled to a refund?

According to aviation industry consumer watchdog the Air Transport Users' Council, BA are not oblighed to refund your money if the strike is called off and the flight takes off as planned.

Will British Airways refund my ticket if I can't fly?

If your flight is canceled because of the strike, BA will offer the choice of a refund or rebooking you on another flight, whether on BA or with a rival carrier.

BA will only give you a refund if the airline officially cancels your flight, however.

Will British Airways help me cover the cost of meals and accommodation if I am stranded abroad?

A BA spokesman said the airline is still working on a contingency plan and could make no immediate announcement regarding accommodation and food for stranded passengers.

Passengers who booked their flights before the strike vote was announced om November 2 should be covered by their travel insurance, but any flights booked since then are not likely to be covered by standard policies. It is best to check with your insurer

If you have paid for your flight with your credit card, get in touch with your credit cardThose who booked their flight using a credit card may be entitled to recover at least some of the costs.

I booked a hotel room and rental car at my destination. Will BA compensate me if I can't use them?

BA don't appear to have a policy on this issue. Refer to your travel insurer  to see whether such costs could be covered.

What's the score with Travel Insurance?

Travel insurers have warned that passengers may not be eligible for compensation. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) those who made holiday arrangements after the Unite union announced  the strike on November 2nd are unlikely to be covered by insurance policies because they should have 'assumed' a walkout would occur.

Malcolm Tarling of the ABI said: "travel insurance is designed to cover unforseen events and circumstances you could not be reasonably expected to be aware of.

"When the strike ballot was announced it was reasonable there would be strike action.  If you can be reasonably expected to know something is happening then you are not covered."

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See also: BA Strike: Check out alternative flight options

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