BA Strikes

May and June 2010

UNITE have confirmed as of 1700 hrs BST on Monday 10 May 2010 that their BA members will strike from 18-22 May inclusive, 24-28 May, 30 May-3 June and 5-9 June.

Customers are advised that there may be delays and cancellations between 18 May 2010 and 10 June 2010 and beyond as time tables return to normal.

Policies that are purchased on or after 1700 BST on 10 May 2010 (when the strike dates were announced by the UNITE trade union) will not provide cover for travel delay / trip abandonment in relation to BA holidays and travel during the affected period.

This also applies for existing Travel Insurance customers booking holidays/flights after 1700 BST on Monday 10 May 2010 that involve flying with BA. This applies for the affected strike dates only.

The travel delay benefit will be available for all policies purchased before 1700 BST on Monday 10 May 2010 and after previous strike action had ended.

How your Travel Insurance policy may be affected

I have a flight booked with BA during the proposed period of industrial action – what should I do?

Customers are advised to speak to BA and/or their travel agents in the first instance. As at 1700 BST on 10th May 2010, BA are currently offering anyone with a booking within the strike period the opportunity to rebook at no extra cost. BA are also advising that if a customer’s flight is actually cancelled because of the industrial action then they will be offered a refund, a replacement flight or the option to re route. More information can be found at the British Airways website.

I have heard about the proposed industrial action and want to cancel my holiday because of it. Will I be covered?

Customers will only be covered for cancellation (with regards to the proposed industrial action) once BA have confirmed that their flight will be cancelled and no suitable alternative can be offered.

Will I be covered for travel delay and trip abandonment under my Travel Insurance policy?

Any customer who purchased their Travel Insurance policy prior to 1700 BST on 10th May 2010 will be covered by the travel delay / travel abandonment benefit within their policy. Policies, that are purchased on or after 1700 BST on 10th May 2010 (when the strike dates were announced by the UNITE trade union), will not provide cover for travel delay / trip abandonment in relation to BA holidays and travel.

I have a Travel policy and was just about to book travel with BA during the proposed strike period. Will I be covered if I am unable to travel due to the delays?

No, if you choose to purchase travel with BA, with outward and / or return flights falling within the proposed period of industrial action following the announcement at 1700 BST on 10th May 2010 we will not provide cover under the travel delay or travel abandonment benefits of the policy.

Will I be covered for any connecting flight delays I experience due to the BA industrial action?

Yes, as long as your BA flights and policy were purchased prior to the announcement by the UNITE trade unions at 1700 BST on 10th May 2010 then the travel delay benefit will provide you with cover.

Related links:

Advice for customers affected by the Goldtrail Travel Ltd collapse
Advice for customers affected by the volcanic ash disruption