BA strikes: advice for travellers
Updated on 14 December 2009
Advice if you are one of the estimated 1 million people likely to be affected by the British Airways strikes over the Christmas period.
British Airways is currently preparing to rework flight schedules to cope with 12 days of strike action over the Christmas period. Ben King has been assessing the possible impact of the industrial action. Read his analysis here.
If you are one of the one million people affected by British Airways strikes over Christmas then you should contact both the airline or travel company you booked with and your insurers to find out if you are covered should the strike go ahead.
According to UK European Consumer Centre, in normal circumstances passengers affected by cancellations should under EU law be entitled to a reroute or refund.
However they warned today that the airline is not obliged to pay compensation if it can prove that the cancellation was caused by "extraordinary circumstances, which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken".
It is thought British Airways could try to avoid strike-related claims on this basis.
According to Rochelle Turner, Head of Research for Which? Holiday, insurers should pay out as long as the holiday was booked before ballot action was announced:
‘Passengers who booked their flights before the strike ballot was announced on 2 November should be covered by their travel insurance; any flights booked since then are not likely to be covered by standard policies, but passengers should check with their insurance providers.’
However he also pointed out that anyone who booked their flight using a credit card could be able to claim back the cost under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which provides extra legal protection when you buy goods or services costing £100 or more on your credit card.
For more information contact the following numbers
- British Airways 0844 493 0787 (for booking enquiries)
- Association of British Travel Agents 0901 201 5050 (to resolve a dispute with a travel agent as long as they are a member of ABTA)
- Air Transport Users Council 020 7240 6061 (to lodge complaints about airlines and get advice)
- Association of British Insurers: 020 7216 7455 (to check if you're being treated fairly by your insurer)
