Flight Cancellations, Baggage Restrictions and More: What Passengers Need to Know About Heathrow’s Impending Strike
UPDATE as of 3pm Sunday, August 4: Strikes for Monday, August 5 have been called off and talks continue to avert any strikes on Tuesday, August 6. British Airways has re-instated flights it had started cancelling for Monday. Passengers traveling with other airlines that had previously announced cancellations are urged to check with their airline before traveling to see if flights have been reinstated. Virgin Atlantic says it plans to operate a number of flights to and from London Gatwick (LGW) instead of London Heathrow (LHR) as previously advised.
Unite, the union whose members include many Heathrow workers including security staff, firefighters, engineers and other passenger service operators, has confirmed its first strike to take this place this week on Monday, August 5 and Tuesday, August 6. The dispute with the UK's largest airport is over pay, and further strike dates for August 23 and 24 have already been announced.
There is a chance that talks, which are continuing over the weekend, will resolve the situation at least in part to the extent that the strikes will be canceled, but at the time of publication, they are scheduled to go ahead.
Both Heathrow Airport and airlines have started to take actions to limit disruptions, including a number of measures which impact those planning on traveling to, from or via Heathrow this week.
Airlines have already been asked to proactively cancel a total of 172 flights by Heathrow and further cancellations are likely.
(Photo by bunhill / Getty Images)
Across the board, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport earlier than planned and to expect longer than usual security lines.
Because a strike by airport workers is outside of the control of airlines, passengers are not entitled to any compensation (under EU 261 or other) but airlines have a 'duty of care' to look after impacted passengers, which includes rebooking as well as refreshments, meals and potential hotel accommodation, depending on the length of any delay. Impacted travelers should also check details of their travel insurance.
British Airways
British Airways is bearing the brunt of the proactive cancellations, given both the number of flights they operate out of LHR as well as the frequency on certain routes.
Terminal 5, BA's home, will see the number of security lines reduced, and the First Wing security checkpoint will be closed.
Passengers will only be allowed to bring one small personal item of hand luggage on board (which needs to fit under the seat in front of them) with additional items needing to be checked-in (even if the fare purchased does not allow for bags to be checked). This restrictions includes passengers originating their journey from elsewhere and transiting through LHR.
At the same time, though, the airline is asking passengers to travel as light as possible and consolidate bags as it is expecting to be handling more bags than normal. Bags can be checked in from 6 p.m. the evening before traveling.
Catering will also be restricted on a number of flights, particularly on shorter routes, with some premium passengers being offered vouchers instead.
British Airways is allowing passengers booked on short-haul flights from LHR on August 5 and 6 to rebook on an alternative BA flight in the same cabin on any days between August 1 and 12 from London Gatwick or London City, and any days between August 1 and 12 (except for August 5 and 6 — the strike dates) from London Heathrow.
Passengers traveling with British Airways on the impacted dates are encouraged to both check the status of their flight as well as check the dedicated BA page on the strikes.
(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Virgin Atlantic
Over and above advising passengers to continue to check the Virgin Atlantic website and to arrive at Heathrow early, the airline is switching a number of services from London Heathrow (LHR) to London Gatwick (LGW).
Monday, August 5: Arriving into LGW (departing destinations on Sunday, August 4):
VS138 — New York-JFK-London Heathrow
VS154 — New York-JFK-London Heathrow
VS104 — Atlanta-London Heathrow
Monday, August 5: Departing from LGW
VS3 — London Heathrow-New York JFK
VS153 — London Heathrow-New York JFK
VS1 — London Heathrow-New York Newark
VS157 — London Heathrow-Boston
There are similar plans to switch the following flights from LHR to LGW for Tuesday, August 6, though these are yet to be confirmed:
Arriving into LGW on Tuesday, August 6
VS4 — New York-JFK-London Heathrow (departing August 5)
VS138 — New York-JFK-London Heathrow (departing August 5)
VS2 — Newark-London Heathrow (departing August 5)
VS158 — Boston-London Heathrow (departing August 6)
Departing from LGW on Tuesday, August 6
VS3 — London Heathrow-New York JFK
VS153 — London Heathrow-New York JFK
VS1 — London Heathrow-New York Newark
VS157 — London Heathrow-Boston
Passengers traveling with Virgin Atlantic on Monday, August 5 and Tuesday, August 6 are encouraged to check their flight status on the Virgin Atlantic website before heading to the airport (in plenty of time).
Image by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
Flybe
The regional airline that has increased its service from London Heathrow has advised passengers that the following flights will be impacted if the strike ends up going ahead.
August 5
- BE2104 London Heathrow — Edinburgh
- BE2188 London Heathrow — Newquay
- BE2110 London Heathrow — Edinburgh
August 6
- BE2102 London Heathrow — Edinburgh
- BE2110 London Heathrow — Edinburgh
Passengers booked on those flights can change their travel dates to flights on August 3, 4, 7, 8 or 9 provided there are seats available. The latest can be found here.
(Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
American Airlines
AA may be waiving change fees for impacted passengers due to travel to, from or via LHR on the strike dates. Options will be made available online to impacted passengers, who should check their trip and options here.
Bottom Line
If your travels are flexible, it may be worth considering changing your plans to avoid a potentially miserable airport experience with lengthy delays. All airlines using Heathrow are likely to put measures in place to limit disruptions and customer impact. So, if you are due to travel and going ahead, you are strongly encouraged to check your airlines' website for the latest information (including the above as the situation is evolving).
Either way, if you are traveling, plan your luggage in line with the guidance given by airlines and arrive at the airport with plenty of time as there will likely be delays at security and check-in. It's never a bad idea to think of a plan B as well — i.e. what alternative flights (or means of transportation) can get you to your destination if your flight ends up being canceled at the last minute.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.