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BA - Potential Industrial Action (16/12/2009)
In view of the potential impact that industrial action within BA may have on your BA travel arrangements our initial recommendation is for you to to contact BA directly or your Travel Agent in the first instance.
We have set out below the latest communication from BA (as at 15th December 2009) and also attached a copy of the latest Cancellation and Delay: Passenger Rights document issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Covered2go Enquiries Team
BA Statement
Dear All,
We are aware that Unite, the trade union that represents British Airways' (BA) cabin crew, has announced that its strike ballot has closed with a vote in favour of industrial action between December 22, 2009 and January 2, 2010 .
British Airways is extremely disappointed that Unite is planning massive disruption for hundreds of thousands of our customers over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Our operational planning teams are now working flat-out to put in place a flying schedule for the strike period that helps as many customers as possible.
We aim to announce this schedule as soon as possible.
In the meantime customers with a booking between December 22, 2009 and January 2, 2010 can change the date of their trip free of charge.
We believe that the threat of strike action by Unite is highly regrettable and completely unjustified.
Against a background of record losses, we have put forward a package of measures for cabin crew that reduces no-one's terms and conditions, gives most crew pay rises of up to seven per cent and creates opportunities for voluntary redundancy and switches to part-time working.
Options for customers
Customers who are booked to travel between December 22, 2009 and January 2, 2010 plus 48 hours on either side who would like to take their flight at a different time can change to another BA flight departing in the next twelve months if they wish to do so.
If a customer's flight is cancelled because of industrial action, we will offer them the option to refund their ticket, rebook on to a different flight or reroute their journey on another British Airways flight. No flights have yet been cancelled.
We will regularly be updating ba.com & batraveltrade.com, with the latest information and would recommend that customers revisit the site to check for the latest news.
Please find attached Q&A's with further information
CUSTOMER GUIDELINES AND ADDITIONAL INFO FOR AFFECTED CUSTOMERS
What are you going to do for customers (customer guidelines)?
We understand the uncertainty that our customers must be facing at the moment.
We will announce any changes to our schedule as soon as possible.
In the meantime, customers who have a booking over the industrial action period announced by Unite between December 22, 2009 and January 2, 2010, and 48 hours on either side are able to rebook onto another BA flight in the next twelve months.
Customers wishing to change flights booked during the strike period should call their travel agent..
Customers with a direct booking can contact BA directly on our specially dedicated number 0800 727 800 in the UK or by contacting their local British Airways office worldwide.
Will I be able to rebook into any available cabin?
We will allow customers to rebook into any available class in the same cabin as their original booking.
What about customers on transfer flights/unable to connect to another carrier/half way through travel?
We are currently working through our schedule and will announce any changes and customer options as soon as we can.
We will be proactively communicating to our trade and corporate partners and affected customers and regularly updating ba.com with the latest information.
What's the best way for people to check whether their flight is operating?
We will be proactively contacting as many affected customers as possible and we would also ask them to refer to ba.com for the latest details. They can check the status of their flights and arrivals and departures information via the site.
What are you doing to let customers know in advance that their flight is affected?
We will be communicating with our trade and corporate partners regularly via email and via BATraveltrade.com. We will also be regularly updating ba.com with the latest information.
Will customers have pay a different fare if flights are reinstated?
No, if we cancel flights we will allow customers to rebook into any class provided it is in the same cabin.
Can I book back on to my original flight if it's reinstated?
Yes.
Will BA rebook into any available class?
If a customer's flight is cancelled we will rebook them into any available class on another date, provided it's within the same cabin.
Can I book with another carrier or train operator and get my money back, as I am worried about getting to my destination?
Customers who are booked to fly who wish to change their booking can do so to another BA flight in the next twelve months.
Customers whose flights have been cancelled are able to refund, rebook or reroute.
We will not pay for tickets on other forms of transport.