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 27, 2020, 3:46 am
#167
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Accor Plat, IHG Diamond
Posts: 651
I have just got off the phone to Amex Plat insurance, their current policy is only changing flights if they go through Hubei province.
Jan 27, 2020, 4:36 am
#168
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BA Gold, EK Gold, IHG Royal Ambassador
Posts: 88
Ok so my trade show cancelled this morning, apparently things over there are worse than is being reported. "Every house is under isolation and cannot go out, even in Chinese New Year", thats being reported directly to me from a friend in Shanghai.
Anyhow, I have cancelled my flights as the trade show is not going ahead, full refund from BA without any issues.
IHG cancelled a non-refundable hotel booking as well, they had to call the hotel to do it but they did, again at no charge.
Anyhow, I have cancelled my flights as the trade show is not going ahead, full refund from BA without any issues.
IHG cancelled a non-refundable hotel booking as well, they had to call the hotel to do it but they did, again at no charge.
Jan 27, 2020, 5:05 am
#169
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
I live in Shanghai and while it's been rumoured that will restrictions will be out in place if/when the situation gets out of control here, I've yet to hear or read confirmed reports of people being prevented from leaving their own houses.
Jan 27, 2020, 5:15 am
#170
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 46
HK Gov also forbids Hubei residents, or anyone who has visited Hubei province in the past 14 days from entering HK. Because of this, e-channel to enter HK is now only for HK resident. Visitors will need to use the regular immigration desk.
Jan 27, 2020, 5:17 am
#171
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Fyvie
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 22
Every house is under isolation and cannot go out, even in Chinese New Year
Well I'm still here in Shanghai and not entirely convinced by that statement. We have just returned from a walk along the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Area , a lovely meal on Fuzhou Street and a final wander along the Bund after dark. The shops are on the whole open though not doing a roaring trade and there are a fair number of people about including locals shopping, travelling on the Metro and eating out. Got a temperature check boarding a ferry across the Huangpo River and the ferry folk stopped a Chinese person from boarding until they donned a mask..no doubt it'll be the same at the airport tomorrow.
Well I'm still here in Shanghai and not entirely convinced by that statement. We have just returned from a walk along the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Area , a lovely meal on Fuzhou Street and a final wander along the Bund after dark. The shops are on the whole open though not doing a roaring trade and there are a fair number of people about including locals shopping, travelling on the Metro and eating out. Got a temperature check boarding a ferry across the Huangpo River and the ferry folk stopped a Chinese person from boarding until they donned a mask..no doubt it'll be the same at the airport tomorrow.
Last edited by Fyvie Flyer; Jan 27, 2020 at 5:26 am Reason: Typo
Jan 27, 2020, 5:23 am
#172
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BA Gold, EK Gold, IHG Royal Ambassador
Posts: 88
Ok I stand corrected, he does have a young child though so maybe that is skewing what he has been told? Just passing along a message 
I was gutted to have to cancel as I love Shanghai...plus I needed the tier points lol
I was gutted to have to cancel as I love Shanghai...plus I needed the tier points lol
Jan 27, 2020, 5:48 am
#173
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 47
I’m travelling to Perth via Hong Kong on 20th February. I just rang BA to see if we could reroute and they said no. The policy doesn’t cover passengers transiting. They said if this changes they will email me.
Jan 27, 2020, 6:14 am
#174
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kendal, Cumbria and Luzon
Programs: BA Silver, PR Elite, Avis Preferred Plus, PC Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,133
Not mandatory to wear a face mask in public in HK yet but I'd say 80% of people on the street do wear a mask. It's almost impossible to buy a mask now so better bring them along with you.
HK Gov also forbids Hubei residents, or anyone who has visited Hubei province in the past 14 days from entering HK. Because of this, e-channel to enter HK is now only for HK resident. Visitors will need to use the regular immigration desk.
HK Gov also forbids Hubei residents, or anyone who has visited Hubei province in the past 14 days from entering HK. Because of this, e-channel to enter HK is now only for HK resident. Visitors will need to use the regular immigration desk.
Jan 27, 2020, 6:19 am
#175
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kendal, Cumbria and Luzon
Programs: BA Silver, PR Elite, Avis Preferred Plus, PC Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,133
Deleted
Last edited by Modo; Jan 28, 2020 at 12:18 am Reason: Duplicate post
Jan 27, 2020, 7:35 am
#176
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club
Posts: 82
They are already selling like hotcakes. We are not due to travel for a few weeks to the Caribbean but transiting Gatwick with my mother whose disposition wouldn’t stand up to a normal flu never mind pneumonia so have purchased some pre-emptively. Interestingly where we are (central Manchester) we live in a tower block with a lot of Chinese students and over the past few days they have taken to wearing them round the area. Yikes.
Jan 27, 2020, 8:28 am
#177
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,807
They are already selling like hotcakes. We are not due to travel for a few weeks to the Caribbean but transiting Gatwick with my mother whose disposition wouldn’t stand up to a normal flu never mind pneumonia so have purchased some pre-emptively. Interestingly where we are (central Manchester) we live in a tower block with a lot of Chinese students and over the past few days they have taken to wearing them round the area. Yikes.
Bangkok's out - we've just been there. Both me and wife's family can't find any.
SIL says her shopping centre in Sydney also out.
Someone I'm in a chat group with showed a pic with a Prague pharmacy (Lekarna ipc) "Surgical face masks are sold out."
HKG Mannings pharmacy HK$18 per mask (2 masks per pax max), Watsons $20 per mask
Last edited by percysmith; Jan 27, 2020 at 8:57 am
Jan 27, 2020, 8:52 am
#178
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Go to a DIY shop, if you can't find them at pharmacies. Some offer better protection than many of the masks sold at pharmacies.
Jan 27, 2020, 10:38 am
#179
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: American Life Time 2 Million Mile Platinum
Posts: 369
That's cos Mainland and HK Chinese have been snapping them up
Bangkok's out - we've just been there. Both me and wife's family can't find any.
SIL says her shopping centre in Sydney also out.
Someone I'm in a chat group with showed a pic with a Prague pharmacy (Lekarna ipc) "Surgical face masks are sold out."
HKG Mannings pharmacy HK$18 per mask (2 masks per pax max), Watsons $20 per mask
Bangkok's out - we've just been there. Both me and wife's family can't find any.
SIL says her shopping centre in Sydney also out.
Someone I'm in a chat group with showed a pic with a Prague pharmacy (Lekarna ipc) "Surgical face masks are sold out."
HKG Mannings pharmacy HK$18 per mask (2 masks per pax max), Watsons $20 per mask
Masks stop droplets to 0.3 microns, the virus is much smaller still.
Only a completely enclosed biohazard suit is effective against Corona virus.
What can you do?
1. Avoid contact.
2. Aggressive hand washing and use of hand disinfectants/wipes on surfaces that interact with others: grocery store trollies, airplane service tables, etc.
Use your money on those things not masks.
All the best.
Jan 27, 2020, 10:44 am
#180
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 556
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.
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.
good luck and best wishes to all affect by this. I feel so sorry for all those getting NO information/support at this most trying time
T