Well, this has been brewing for a while, but it looks like the planned strike by Unite members is going ahead at Heathrow Airport on the 5th and 6th August.
Not even these umbrellas will save you from the upcoming strike action – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
Expect the following:
- Cancellations – like it or not, they will happen. Expect short haul programmes to be hit hardest.
- Security will take longer. Heathrow is recommending checking in two hours for short haul flights and three hours for long haul flights – even if you have checked in on-line and are travelling with hand baggage only.
If you’re planning to travel with British Airways, additional restrictions apply:
- Fast Track and The First Wing will be closed at Terminal 5.
- You’ll only be allowed to take one small personal item of hand baggage that can fit under the seat in front of you. Any additional items of hand baggage must be checked in.
- The airline is offering rebooking at https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/incident/strike/heathrow. Use it if needed.
Other airlines have announced changes too:
- Virgin Atlantic are planing divert some of the operations to Gatwick
- Aer Lingus are offering rebooking options at https://www.aerlingus.com/support/flight-disruption-information/
- United Airlines has a waiver at https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/news/Pages/travelnotices.aspx
- American Airlines has activated a waiver at https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/travel-alerts.jsp
- Other airlines will be activating their waivers too. Check before you travel with your airline.
Full FAQ’s are at https://www.heathrow.com/more/help-with-this-website/faqs/industrial-action
This has the makings of a total mess. Please plan and adjust your travel plans as needed.
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Air New Zealand services into and out of London Heathrow are scheduled to operate as normal. They’re offering customers booking flexibility should they wish to avoid travelling on the proposed strike days.