Heathrow strikes: Which flights are back on today after workers call off protests
MOST of the Heathrow Airport flights that were cancelled because of planned strikes today will now go ahead to the delight of holidaymakers - although further disruption could still happen tomorrow.
The airport originally worked with airlines to cancel 177 flights that were due to fly to and from the airport today and tomorrow.
However, after the strike action planned for Monday was suspended at the last minute on Sunday, several airlines have reinstated their flights.
British Airways has said that all flights will be reinstated this morning - although some may be diverted - and flights for most other airlines are scheduled to go ahead - with a small number of flights to the US and Doha cancelled today.
BA passengers are also being , as the strike has led to a lack of catering, according to journalist Alastair Jamiseon.
Virgin Atlantic passengers are still being diverted from London Heathrow to London Gatwick, .
Passengers are advised to check with their airline directly before they travel.
Delays are still expected at security with Heathrow Airport warning passengers to arrive two hours before their flight if travelling to the UK or Europe.
Flights currently cancelled and diverted tomorrow
Departures
- 8:45am Virgin Atlantic to Edinburgh
- 8:50am United Airlines to Berlin
- 9am Virgin Atlantic to New York (diverted to Gatwick)
- 10:15am United Airlines to Warsaw
- 11:05am United Airlines to Brussels
- 12:20pm Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong
- 1:30pm Virgin Atlantic to New York (diverted to Gatwick)
- 2:50pm United Airlines to Hamburg
- 3pm Virgin Atlantic to Beijing
- 3:05pm British Airways to Doha
- 4:05pm Virgin Atlantic to New York (diverted to Gatwick)
- 6:50pm Alitalia to Milan
- 8:10pm Virgin Atlantic to Boston (diverted to Gatwick)
- 8:45pm Virgin Atlantic to Edinburgh
Arrivals
- 5:40am Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong
- 6:25am Virgin Atlantic from New York (diverted to Gatwick)
- 7:20am Virgin Atlantic from New York (diverted to Gatwick)
- 9:25am United Airlines from Warsaw
- 10:05am Virgin Atlantic from New York (diverted to Gatwick)
- 11:50am Virgin Atlantic from Beijing
- 1:15pm British Airways from Doha
- 7:50pm Virgin Atlantic from Boston (diverted to Gatwick)
The planned strike tomorrow could still go ahead.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: "Unite have chosen to postpone their strike action today. Strike action on Tuesday 6 August is still scheduled to go ahead.
"We are continuing talks with Unite today and we remain hopeful that we can find a resolution and stop this disruptive and unnecessary threat of strike action.
"We regret that passengers have been inconvenienced by this and urge them to contact their airline for up to date information on the status of their service."
FLIGHT FIGHT Flight compensation – How can I claim compensation if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
In a statement, Unite explained that the strike today was called off to allow for "further talks".
They added: "Under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas, [today's] talks will involve senior directors from Heathrow Airport and senior Unite officials with the aim of averting a second day of planned strike action set to start at 00:01 and finish at 23:59 on Tuesday 6 August."
Will I get my money back if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
If your flight is cancelled, you have the legal right to either a full refund within seven days or a replacement flight to your destination.
This applies for whatever reason your flight was cancelled or how long before you were told it would no longer be be flying.
If your flight is delayed by three hours or more and you were flying to or from a European airport, or with an EU-based airline such as Ryanair or British Airways then you can claim compensation up to €250 (£229) for short-haul flights and €400 (£367) for mid-haul flights and €600 (£530) for long-haul flights.
But the airline might not payout if it's out of their control, for example, due to bad weather or strikes.
The strikes involving more than 4,000 security guards, firefighters, engineers, passenger service operatives and passenger service drivers were planned to start at 12.01am on Monday and finish at 11.59pm on Tuesday.
They were part of a series of walk outs over pay, which were announced last month.
Concerns holidaymakers have slammed the airport for refusing to reveal which flights would be cancelled.