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FLIGHT FAIL

Heathrow strike refund – can I get my money back after Virgin Atlantic and British Airways flight disruptions?

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PLANNED strike action at Heathrow Airport scheduled for this week has been called off, but not before the airport had already cancelled 177 flights.

There are also still two days of travel chaos scheduled for later this month.

 Heathrow Airport has called off strike action - for now
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Heathrow Airport has called off strike action - for nowCredit: AP:Associated Press

Several airlines such as British Airways, Air Canada and Aer Lingus have now reinstated flights while Virgin Atlantic moved flights from Heathrow to Gatwick.

If the two-day strike involving security guards, firefighters and engineers had taken place over both days, it would've affected 88,000 travellers, Unite estimated.

The strike was called off after a new deal was proposed which Unite the union will now take to its members.

They were planned as part of a series of walk outs over pay last month and customers have been warned that two more strikes could follow on August 23 and 24.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: "Unite has chosen to postpone its strike action on Tuesday 6th August.

"Strike action on 23rd and 24th August is still scheduled to go ahead.

"Unite will now take an improved offer to its members and we remain hopeful that we can find a resolution and stop this disruptive and unnecessary threat of strike action."

Although both strikes were called off this week, a number of flights remained cancelled or diverted because of the late notice and uncertainty.

Passengers are being advised to check their status with the airline, as some will have already been rebooked onto other flights and will need to check whether there is any change.

The airport also advised passengers to allow plenty of time for their journey as queues may be longer than usual.

They should arrive two hours before departure for UK and European flights and three hours for all other flights.

Have you been affected? Below we round-up your compensation and refund rights.

How do I find out if my flight is cancelled?

You'll need contact your airline directly as Heathrow hasn't released the list of flights affected.

Find your

What happens if my flight is cancelled?

If your flight has been cancelled then you will be booked onto an alternative one or given a refund.

If you're offered an alternative flight then you are entitled to free meals and refreshments which are appropriate to the delay.

You should also get free hotel accommodation and transfer if there's an overnight stay.

If you get a refund then you should get the cash within seven days.

Airlines are not usually obligated to offer compensation following a strike because they are considered an "extraordinary circumstance".

Although, it may be worth trying to claim as airlines have a responsibility to ensure your flight arrives on time.

If you booked through a travel company they are also liable to arranging your travel.

Can I get compensation or a refund if my flight is moved to another airport or is reinstated?

Having your flight moved to another airport or if it's reinstated after you've already rearranged your plans can be highly inconvenient.

But if the airline can get you to your end destination, you may struggle to get compensated.

The airline usually books you on its next available flight, so it can easily move you back to the initial flight if strike action is suspended.

It'll also generally not book you on a rival airline so you may lose out if you book with another firm yourself, Martyn James of complaints website Resolver told The Sun.

Yet you can contact the airline, explain the extra costs and see what they suggest. You can also ask for a refund.

If you've spent extra cash after initially being told your flight was cancelled, it's worth contacting your airline too.

You'll need to prove that you've had higher costs because of the initial cancellation.

Also, if you're delayed it's once again worth trying to claim as airlines have a responsibility to ensure your flight arrives as planned.

Can I claim on insurance?

This depends on when you bought the flight and what type of policy you have.

If the strike had not been called when you booked your flight and your policy covers for strike action then you should be reimbursed for any expenses, such as cancelling your hotel or car hire.

If the strike was already in the pipeline when you booked your flight then they might argue that you were aware of the potential disruption.


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