BA strike: As industrial action looms, is it risky to make a booking?

Got a question? Our expert, Simon Calder, can help

The walkout by pilots has affected hundreds of thousands of passengers (AFP/Getty)

Q To celebrate my father’s 80th birthday, we are going as a family of 12 to Portugal. Seven of us are due to fly on Sunday 27 October with British Airways. Given we have children going on this trip and it’s for a special occasion, which is likely to never happen again, I am keen to get ahead of the game and work out an action plan so I am prepared in case the flight is cancelled because of the pilots’ strike.

I understand that BA are refusing to book easyJet flights, which severely limits our options. While easyJet prices for that route are good at the moment, I assume they will rocket if a strike is called. In that situation can I immediately book easyJet and claim a refund from BA or do I need to wait until I speak to the latter?

Fiona H