BA strike: dates in September 2019, how British Airways flights are disrupted by walkout and your rights if you have tickets
British Airways pilots will be walking out on Monday 9 September, Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September
Alex Nelson12 hoursThe i newsletter
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British Airways pilots have confirmed the dates of their strike, after 93 per cent of members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) voted in favour of industrial action.
A threatened strike over the summer period – one of the busiest times of the year – would have caused chaos for holidaymakers, and Balpa represents about 90 per cent of the airline’s pilots.
However, the eventual dates come after the end of the summer break: pilots will be walking out on Monday 9 September, Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September.
BA, who said it was “very disappointed” with the result, had failed in a bid to secure a temporary injunction from the High Court to put a stop to any plans for strike action.
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Why are they striking?
The vote to strike comes after pay disputes between pilots and BA.
The airline had offered staff a “fair and generous” pay increase worth 11.5% over three years, but this was rejected – Balpa says its members deserve better in light of BA’s recent profits.
Three days of talks between the airline and the pilots’ union preceded the vote, and Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said the strong result in favour of striking spoke to the “resolve of BA pilots”.
He said that BA “must table a sensible improved offer if a strike is to be averted.”
“We do not wish to inconvenience our customers, which is why we have tried to resolve this matter through negotiation starting last November. It is BA who has regrettably chosen to drag this out into the summer months.”
Which flights could be affected?
The union was required to give BA two weeks’ notice if any action were to take place, and eventually announced the dates on Friday 23 August.
According to the airline’s website, the precise disruption to the timetable has not been confirmed yet.
However, BA advises: “If you have a flight booked with us on those dates, it is likely that you will not be able to travel due to BALPA’s strike action.
“We will be offering all affected customers full refunds or the option to re-book to another date.
“We’re very sorry about the impact BALPA’s action will have, and we’ll do everything we can to get as many people as possible away on their journeys.”
Balpa had said that the the cost to BA to settle the dispute would be “significantly less than the cost would be of even a single day’s strike action”.
What are my rights?
If your flight is cancelled, you usually have a legal right to either a full refund within seven days or a replacement flight.
However, if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond the airline’s control, such as an act of terrorism, a volcanic eruption, a strike, or extreme weather, the airline is not obliged to compensate you.
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So in the event of industrial action, it’s at the airline’s discretion whether to compensate you.
You’re advised to check all your travel arrangements ahead of your trip, to ensure you have as smooth a journey as possible.
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