Global

Update: British Airways announces flight schedules for potential strike periods | 11:10 PM GMT, May 15, 2010

As communicated earlier via CWT Hot News, Unite, the union that represents the majority of British Airways (BA) cabin crew, has announced its planned strike dates, May 18-22, May 24-28, May 30-June 3 and June 5-9. In preparation for the potential strike, BA has begun publishing its flight schedules for the strike periods.

At this time flights are operating as normal. According to the BA website, if the strike does proceed, BA intends to operate most of its scheduled flights. The carrier plans to operate all flights to/from London City Airport and London Gatwick Airport. At London Heathrow Airport, BA intends to operate more than 60% of its scheduled longhaul flights and more than 50% of its scheduled shorthaul flights during the first strike period. Any changes to bookings on these flights are also subject to the original fare rules.

It is important to note that all changes must be made prior to the departure of the original flight and tickets issued after May 10 are not covered by the following guidelines.

BA’s Arrival and departure information is current. CWT passengers are encouraged to monitor this site for up-to-the-minute information on all flights for today and up to 10 days in advance.

CWT passengers with a flight that is still operating but who wish to change travel plans can:
• Rebook on another BA flight on the same route within 355 days of the original date of travel at no extra charge, subject to availability. Refunds are not allowed unless the fare rules allow. If a reservation includes a BA flight outside of the strike dates, or includes a flight from London City or any longhaul flight operating to/from London Gatwick or one operated by BA’s franchise, codeshare or alliance partners, passengers will be able to change these flights at the same time.

In the event of flight cancellations due to the strike, passengers will be able to:
• Rebook on another BA flight on the same route within 355 days of the original date of travel at no extra charge, subject to availability, or
• Rebook on another BA flight to/from the nearest alternative airport (example: if booked to/from Boston, passengers could rebook to/from Philadelphia or New York) at no extra charge, subject to availability. Any additional costs to/from the alternative airport will be at the passenger’s expense, or
• Cancel the booking and obtain a refund to the original form of payment.

For travel between May 18-23, 2010
All flight schedules operating to/from London Heathrow for this strike period have been confirmed. Please refer to BA’s Arrival and departure information for the most current flight information.

For travel between May 24-29, 2010
The carrier plans to operate all flights to/from London City Airport and London Gatwick Airport. At London Heathrow Airport, BA plans to operate a substantial part of its longhaul schedule and there will be a number of flights to every destination across their shorthaul network. Any changes to bookings on these flights are also subject to the original fare rules.

As stated previously, BA plans to announce its flight schedule for this strike period on the following dates:
• May 19 for longhaul flights
• May 20 for shorthaul flights

Preliminarily flight plans for this strike period have been announced. Again, CWT travelers should continue to monitor flight status due to the fluidity of the situation.

For travel between May 30-June 4, 2010
The carrier plans to operate all flights to/from London City Airport and London Gatwick Airport. At London Heathrow Airport, BA plans to operate a substantial part of its longhaul schedule and there will be a number of flights to every destination across their shorthaul network. Any changes to bookings on these flights are also subject to the original fare rules.

As stated previously, BA plans to announce its flight schedule for this strike period on the following dates:
• May 25 for longhaul flights
• May 26 for shorthaul flights

Preliminarily flight plans for this strike period have been announced. Again, CWT travelers should continue to monitor flight status due to the fluidity of the situation.

For travel between June 5-9, 2010
The carrier plans to operate all flights to/from London City Airport and London Gatwick Airport. At London Heathrow Airport, BA plans to operate a substantial part of its longhaul schedule and there will be a number of flights to every destination across their shorthaul network. Any changes to bookings on these flights are also subject to the original fare rules.

As stated previously, BA plans to announce its flight schedule for this strike period on the following dates:
• May 31 for longhaul flights
• June 1 for shorthaul flights

Preliminarily flight plans for this strike period have been announced. Again, CWT travelers should continue to monitor flight status due to the fluidity of the situation. 

Due to the possibility of continued changes to BA’s flight schedules, CWT recommends that passengers monitor the carrier’s website at ba.com for the most current information and flight schedules and refer to the carrier’s Frequently Asked Questions link for additional details.

CWT will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional information as appropriate.

If you have any questions about the information contained in this Hot News, please contact your CWT representative.