Jan 26, 2020, 5:00 am
Last edit by: Globaliser
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BA have cancelled all flights to PKX (Beijing/Peking) and PVG (Shanghai Pu Dong) "until 19 April 2020".
BA frequency to HKG has been reduced with effect from 13 February 2020 - see below for further details. From HKG, Cathay is running a heavily reduced schedule to mainland destinations until the end of March.
If you are due to fly to PKX, PVG and your flight is cancelled then you have refund, re-route and rebook options. BA can rebook on to several other airlines.
If you are due to fly to Hong Kong until 1st April you have refund and rebook options.
If you are transiting into mainland China you are also covered as above.
If you are transiting internationally (e.g. LHR-HKG-SYD) you are not able to move your flights, unless they are cancelled anyway.
The latest ba.com update was on 21 February 2020 at 1510.
More information on the advice of Her Majesty's Government about travel and health is on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
For the Special Administration Regions of Hong Kong and Macao:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/macao
Summary from IATA of all travel restrictions due to Coronavirus as added to TIMATIC https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
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HKG frequency reductions (as of 1330 on 21 February 2020, all dates inclusive).
LHR-HKG
From Thu 13.02.2020 to Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
HKG-LHR
From Fri 14.02.2020 to Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
Note: Schedule changes take effect on Sun 29.03.2020 in both directions.
BA have cancelled all flights to PKX (Beijing/Peking) and PVG (Shanghai Pu Dong) "until 19 April 2020".
BA frequency to HKG has been reduced with effect from 13 February 2020 - see below for further details. From HKG, Cathay is running a heavily reduced schedule to mainland destinations until the end of March.
If you are due to fly to PKX, PVG and your flight is cancelled then you have refund, re-route and rebook options. BA can rebook on to several other airlines.
If you are due to fly to Hong Kong until 1st April you have refund and rebook options.
If you are transiting into mainland China you are also covered as above.
If you are transiting internationally (e.g. LHR-HKG-SYD) you are not able to move your flights, unless they are cancelled anyway.
The latest ba.com update was on 21 February 2020 at 1510.
More information on the advice of Her Majesty's Government about travel and health is on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
For the Special Administration Regions of Hong Kong and Macao:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/macao
Summary from IATA of all travel restrictions due to Coronavirus as added to TIMATIC https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
.
HKG frequency reductions (as of 1330 on 21 February 2020, all dates inclusive).
LHR-HKG
From Thu 13.02.2020 to Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
- Tue 18.02.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (777).
- Tue 10.03.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (777).
- Mon 27.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 28.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Wed 29.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Thu 30.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 11.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 12.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 18.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 19.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Sun 24.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 25.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 26.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (777).
HKG-LHR
From Fri 14.02.2020 to Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
- Wed 19.02.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (777).
- Wed 11.03.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (777).
- Sun 29.03.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 28.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 29.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Thu 30.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Fri 01.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 12.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 13.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 19.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 20.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Mon 25.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 26.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 27.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (777).
Note: Schedule changes take effect on Sun 29.03.2020 in both directions.
*Coronavirus : BA Suspends all flts to mainland China* +discussion on long haul flts
Jan 26, 2020, 2:52 am
#136
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 491
Welcome to Flyertalk Kathryn Venn, and welcome to the BA forum. I hope you will enjoy participating here, welcome on board. There are quite a few longhaul destinations where BA has to run insecticide through the aircraft, so the warning for contact lens wearers is frequently heard on flights to Asia and elsewhere. Low profile temperature checks, dating from the time of SARS, remain in place at many Asian airports.
====
My hunch is that now that schools and universities are having their return dates deferred, that it won't be too long before BA offer a customer service policy on PVG and PKX. The school issue will mean that business meetings will start getting deferred. That's just a guess, but I suspect it is a few days off.
====
My hunch is that now that schools and universities are having their return dates deferred, that it won't be too long before BA offer a customer service policy on PVG and PKX. The school issue will mean that business meetings will start getting deferred. That's just a guess, but I suspect it is a few days off.
Jan 26, 2020, 4:46 am
#137
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 491
Sorry to double post, but British Airways just Direct Messaged me via Twitter and stated that all customers traveling to any China destination can get a full refund of their booking, and to contact my TA. Good news, and unexpected on a Sunday!
Jan 26, 2020, 4:55 am
#138
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,736
Indeed, a bit sooner than I thought and at the generous end of the scale. Here is the advice:
If you booked via a travel agent, they are the ones to process the booking, I'd leave it a day or two until they get the above advice, which came out at 11:35 hrs today.
The rebooking validity is 355 days from ticketing, with a few complications, but essentially a year to travel.
Originally Posted by British Airways
In view of the recent Coronavirus outbreak in China, guidelines have been published to assist customers travelling on British Airwaysservices to our China gateways.
Advice for British Airways-125 ticketed customers whose BA flight is still OPERATING:
Originally travelling 25 January – 23 February 2020 (but must be ticketed on or before 24 January 2020)
New travel dates: Up to and including ticket validity.
Refunds allowed
Avios bookings included
No re-routing allowed if rebooking.
Advice for British Airways-125 ticketed customers whose BA flight is still OPERATING:
Originally travelling 25 January – 23 February 2020 (but must be ticketed on or before 24 January 2020)
New travel dates: Up to and including ticket validity.
Refunds allowed
Avios bookings included
No re-routing allowed if rebooking.
If you booked via a travel agent, they are the ones to process the booking, I'd leave it a day or two until they get the above advice, which came out at 11:35 hrs today.
The rebooking validity is 355 days from ticketing, with a few complications, but essentially a year to travel.
Jan 26, 2020, 4:58 am
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,545
I don't see anything on BA website. Iam flying to CHina today and would love to postpone for free.
Jan 26, 2020, 5:03 am
#140
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,369
Jan 26, 2020, 5:07 am
#141
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,736
You should be able to call, but an agent on duty since first thing this morning may not have spotted this yet, so mentioned the Update 1 timed for 11:35 hrs today. If it's more convenient, they should also be aware of this at the airport too.
Jan 26, 2020, 5:11 am
#142
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 12
Currently in Hanoi and due to fly budget airline to HKG for a few days before returning to LHR.
Given that prices for a one way economy ticket are now double what we paid originally for WTP, a refund (if it's even offered) is pretty poor.
What would FTers suggest - suck it up and spend the four nights in Hong Kong, take the refund (if offered) and try to get a cheap flight home from Hanoi or try to extend our Visa in Vietnam and fly to HKG later to just sit in the airport?
Amex Platinum holder, if anyone has heard from them?
BA have been terrible at this so far!
Given that prices for a one way economy ticket are now double what we paid originally for WTP, a refund (if it's even offered) is pretty poor.
What would FTers suggest - suck it up and spend the four nights in Hong Kong, take the refund (if offered) and try to get a cheap flight home from Hanoi or try to extend our Visa in Vietnam and fly to HKG later to just sit in the airport?
Amex Platinum holder, if anyone has heard from them?
BA have been terrible at this so far!
Jan 26, 2020, 5:12 am
#143
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,899
Im sticking for now. Hopefully means a much emptier F cabin to PVG 
Jan 26, 2020, 5:13 am
#144
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Accor Plat, IHG Diamond
Posts: 651
Thanks for the info on here, I just spoke to the call centre and they confirmed the policy. Trying to figure out what other options I have before postponing my ticket.
Jan 26, 2020, 5:19 am
#145
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,736
You could ring up to see if you are allowed to bring your HKG flight forward to avoid all 4 days. But my preference would be to take the MH flight from Hanoi to KUL tomorrow - there is Avios availability in both economy and business. Then on Tuesday take an Avios flight back to London, for which there are a number of redemption options in all cabins, for BA, MH and Sri Lanka.
Jan 26, 2020, 5:24 am
#146
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Accor Plat, IHG Diamond
Posts: 651
Jan 26, 2020, 5:28 am
#147
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 12
You could ring up to see if you are allowed to bring your HKG flight forward to avoid all 4 days. But my preference would be to take the MH flight from Hanoi to KUL tomorrow - there is Avios availability in both economy and business. Then on Tuesday take an Avios flight back to London, for which there are a number of redemption options in all cabins, for BA, MH and Sri Lanka.
Jan 26, 2020, 5:29 am
#148
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Original Poster
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Jan 26, 2020, 5:43 am
#149
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,383
Is HKG a China Gateway in BA parlance?
Jan 26, 2020, 5:48 am
#150
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,736