British Air pilot strike - what to do?

Pam,

Your best bet is probably an easyJet flight from LGW to PRG. I believe they have a flight departing LGW at 18:25 and arriving PRG at 21:25 (keep in mind there's a one hour time difference). They also operate flights from STN to PRG (I don't know which airport would be the easiest one to use).

There are National Express coaches from LHR to LGW but I didn't check the details. Hopefully one of the other forum members can provide more detailed information on transportation options between the two airports.

If you haven't flown with easyJet before, the group here can offer a few tips to make the trip easier. They're my preferred budget airline in Europe and I always check their flights first.

Thanks for that recommendation of Easy Jet. At the end of our trip we're flying Budapest to London on Easy Jet. It's looking like my choices will be to replace the British Air flight will be either RyanAir or Easy Jet, both leaving around 6 pm which leaves us with quite a lot of time to kill (and travel from Heathrow to another London area airport).

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49460958

Contact BA ( may be a patience tester) and see what current info they have on cancellations, and what they will do

LGW (Gatwick) is reachable from Heathrow in less than 2 hours by bus, so the timing works. STN (Stansted) is too far away. So the alternative would be the aforementioned LGW flight.

Also, British Airways have unfortunately given you more than two weeks' notice, so the EU-mandated flight cancellation compensation does not apply.

My wife and I were scheduled to fly from Denver to Rome through Heathrow Sept. 10 on British Airways. We got the cancellation notice via email and were able to rebook on American (which operates the BA flight too) through Philadelphia. Of course, we will still fret a bit until we are on board and airborne. I hope you resolve your flight problem and have a wonderful time.

I would be researching a back-up plan. Looks like flights to Prague from London through Ryan air or Easy Jet are very reasonable for a one-way flight. I know they are flying out in the evening, But you may run into more disruptions at the airport. I know when BA were having their IT meltdown LHR was chaos. We lost three days on our vacation. Travelguard insurance compensated us for that not BA. Travel insurance is always a good idea for this very reason.

I would take the Easy jet flight out of Gatwick. Use the National Express bus to make the connection. Bookthe coach (bus) in advance and pick the flexible ticket option (flexible for 24 hours). Stansted is doable but further away. (1.5 hour by bus). Do not select LTN (Luton) or Southend (SEN) just too far. The buses are very nice. Just put your luggage underneath and relax of the journey. Gatwick is only about 30 miles south of LHR.

Margaret

Pam,

A quick word of warning. Your entire flight and a lot of others were cancelled (stating the obvious).... a lot of folks are going to be looking for alternative flights. I would book your new flight (and bus) sooner rather then later.

Travel on,

One Fast Bob

Thanks to everyone who commented. I was so astonished when I received the cancellation notice of our BA flight that I just couldn't figure out what to do. Plus it was convenient to land in Heathrow and then depart from Heathrow. We paid a little more for that convenience, but it was worth it. However, after hearing from all of you, I went ahead and booked an Easy Jet flight from Gatwick for that evening. It was cheaper than our original flight, but we do have more time to kill plus a transfer from Heathrow to Gatwick via London. I'm sure we'll find something to do for 3-4 hours in London, but our bodies will still be on Seattle time. It's a red eye to London so sure hope we can get some sleep on the plane. This is one of those times when I wish I was 21 again and could pull all-nighters. But it will all be worth it. So thanks again to all.

Glad you found that solution, but I would recommend against travelling via Central London to get from Heathrow to Gatwick. The train-tube-train journey is stressful and expensive, and involves a lot of walking in the connections.
Use the direct bus between the two, you'll visit London some other time.

At Gatwick, there are two lounges you can buy entrance to upon arrival. Comfortable, free food and drink, wifi and a little less hectic than staying in the main part of the terminal.

Your other choice is renting a room at the Yotel inside the terminal. You rent by the hour. You could nap or get a reguvenating shower and change of clothes.

Hi Pam. I posted the earlier heads up on the strike. Your flight to Heathrow from the US will also probably be cancelled if its on BA - ours was too. As I was posting, my wife was on the phone with British Airways trying to save our vacation. We ended up getting confirmed seats on flights through to Vienna two days earlier (BA only flies the Pittsburgh-Heathrow flight 4 days a week). BA could not have been more accommodating and we get two extra days of vacation (when life gives you lemons...…..lol). We'll have to foot two extra nights in a hotel but that beats losing all we've prepaid. If you move quickly enough you may get lucky too. Good luck!