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
Feb 22, 2020, 9:24 am
#781
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,545
I fully go along with those who think this is crazy, but there is a straightforward right to a refund if a flight is cancelled, that's in Articles 5 and Articles 8. There is no mention in EC261 of admin fees. The operating carrier is fundamentally responsible for the refund, though in practical terms it comes via its agents, in this case Carlton. So if you are Ł75 out of pocket I think you do have the ability to use EC261 - see the main thread in the Dashboard as to how to do this. Now BA are - as I suggested - unlikely to amused to get your claim, but the argument will be that BA can easily send an ADM to the agency - who presumably work under contract to BA - to recover their costs.
You may have a claim under other consumer protection laws (CRA, CCA) or basic contract arguments if you prefer to go via the agency direct.
You may have a claim under other consumer protection laws (CRA, CCA) or basic contract arguments if you prefer to go via the agency direct.
The OP entered a private contract with the TA who is charging an administration fee for booking and for refund. On its side, BA is providing a full refund of the ticket cost as per EC261. The issue of the TA charging booking and refund administration fee is a totally different matter.
Whether the local jurisdiction provides some avenue to recover the TA administration fee is another issue that I am not familiar with.
Feb 22, 2020, 9:28 am
#782
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: 63,732
I beg to differ regarding EC261.
The OP entered a private contract with the TA who is charging an administration fee for booking and for refund. On its side, BA is providing a full refund of the ticket cost as per EC261. The issue of the TA charging booking and refund administration fee is a totally different matter.
Whether the local jurisdiction provides some avenue to recover the TA administration fee is another issue that I am not familiar with.
The OP entered a private contract with the TA who is charging an administration fee for booking and for refund. On its side, BA is providing a full refund of the ticket cost as per EC261. The issue of the TA charging booking and refund administration fee is a totally different matter.
Whether the local jurisdiction provides some avenue to recover the TA administration fee is another issue that I am not familiar with.
Feb 22, 2020, 11:36 am
#783
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 489
A quick follow up on an earlier post on cancelling some JAL HND-PEK redemption tickets. as the filler between a BA open jaw, in which the PKX-LHR BA39 was cancelled. The BA only flights, quickly refunded and the JAL ones also sorted by an extremely patient and apologetic agent - free of the Ł35 avios charge.
Obviously I'd much rather have done the trip but full marks to BA for making this as painless as it could have been.
Obviously I'd much rather have done the trip but full marks to BA for making this as painless as it could have been.
Feb 22, 2020, 11:51 am
#784
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: BA silver
Posts: 447
A quick follow up on an earlier post on cancelling some JAL HND-PEK redemption tickets. as the filler between a BA open jaw, in which the PKX-LHR BA39 was cancelled. The BA only flights, quickly refunded and the JAL ones also sorted by an extremely patient and apologetic agent - free of the Ł35 avios charge.
Obviously I'd much rather have done the trip but full marks to BA for making this as painless as it could have been.
Obviously I'd much rather have done the trip but full marks to BA for making this as painless as it could have been.
Feb 22, 2020, 4:07 pm
#785
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: BA
Posts: 138
BA cancelled mainland China flights in late Jan when the cases were in the few thousand if I recall correctly. So maybe another week or so until ICN drops off? I don't think Japan is at that point yet.
Feb 22, 2020, 7:13 pm
#786
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NYC/London
Programs: BA GfL, Marriott GfL
Posts: 62
Does anyone have experience of how BA are treating GUF2 cancelled flights due to COVID-19? I have some upcoming JFK-LHR-HKG flights booked. The underlying GUF2 voucher was already near expiry (with 6 month extension) when I booked last year.
Feb 23, 2020, 12:46 am
#787
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: CX DM, BA Gold
Posts: 135
A quick follow up on an earlier post on cancelling some JAL HND-PEK redemption tickets. as the filler between a BA open jaw, in which the PKX-LHR BA39 was cancelled. The BA only flights, quickly refunded and the JAL ones also sorted by an extremely patient and apologetic agent - free of the Ł35 avios charge.
Obviously I'd much rather have done the trip but full marks to BA for making this as painless as it could have been.
Obviously I'd much rather have done the trip but full marks to BA for making this as painless as it could have been.
Feb 23, 2020, 1:23 am
#788
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
I am now wondering when BA will cancel ICN (and/or FCO will raise its travel warning for Korea), as their domestic alert level has just been raised to Red.
Feb 23, 2020, 1:47 am
#789
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London, or thereabouts
Programs: Tesco Clubcard, Heathrow Rewards, M&S Sparks, Caffč Nero, HSBC rewards... BAEC defector
Posts: 132
I don't know what would happen if you requested a refund rather than re-booking. Another option they gave me was to put my return flight on hold, and re-confirm with them later.
Good luck.
Feb 23, 2020, 2:05 am
#790
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 489
Feb 23, 2020, 2:28 am
#791
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Reading, England
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 145
While everybody here is watching the situation in Asia (including myself as I'm due to travel to Japan at the end of April) things might be about to kick off in Europe with a fairly significant outbreak in northern Italy being reported by BBC News:
Coronavirus: Italy imposes strict lockdown in outbreak hotspots
Coronavirus: Inter Milan v Sampdoria among Serie A games postponed
Coronavirus: Italy imposes strict lockdown in outbreak hotspots
Coronavirus: Inter Milan v Sampdoria among Serie A games postponed
Last edited by WoodleyBeacon; Feb 23, 2020 at 2:32 am Reason: Second news link added
Feb 23, 2020, 3:10 am
#792
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
While everybody here is watching the situation in Asia (including myself as I'm due to travel to Japan at the end of April) things might be about to kick off in Europe with a fairly significant outbreak in northern Italy being reported by BBC News:
Coronavirus: Italy imposes strict lockdown in outbreak hotspots
Coronavirus: Inter Milan v Sampdoria among Serie A games postponed
Coronavirus: Italy imposes strict lockdown in outbreak hotspots
Coronavirus: Inter Milan v Sampdoria among Serie A games postponed
I wonder if there will be any changes to schedule to Italy, even if it's just for commercial reasons.
Feb 23, 2020, 4:36 am
#794
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 489
Feb 23, 2020, 12:35 pm
#795
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: PEK
Programs: BAEC, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 244
Question re changing a HKG Avios flight from off peak to peak.
Trying to change an Avios ticket for a HKG-LHR flight, this is for March and has been cancelled, so it is covered by both the HKG policy and policy for cancelled tickets. It is booked for an off-peak date and I need to change it to peak date. First agent I spoke to said it could be any date up to 1st August (and could book Avios or revenue availability), but when I called back to book I was told it has to be an off-peak date, or it would need to be re-priced for extra Avios. Seems strange to me - if it was re-date of a cancelled revenue ticket, it would just be re-booked with no extra charge.
Does anyone know if this is right? Is this specified in the re-boking policy?
Trying to change an Avios ticket for a HKG-LHR flight, this is for March and has been cancelled, so it is covered by both the HKG policy and policy for cancelled tickets. It is booked for an off-peak date and I need to change it to peak date. First agent I spoke to said it could be any date up to 1st August (and could book Avios or revenue availability), but when I called back to book I was told it has to be an off-peak date, or it would need to be re-priced for extra Avios. Seems strange to me - if it was re-date of a cancelled revenue ticket, it would just be re-booked with no extra charge.
Does anyone know if this is right? Is this specified in the re-boking policy?