Feb 28, 2020, 9:30 am
Last edit by: LTN Phobia
WikiPost currently includes info on China inc Hong Kong, Singapore and Italy. As and when new/updated information becomes available, we would welcome your input in updating it.
Information resources (e.g. links of entry restrictions/quarantine requirements) are provided at the bottom of Wiki.
29 Feb 2020: List of routes with cancellations from 13 March to 28 March: PKX, PVG, HKG, SIN, LIN, ICN, VRN, BGY, BLQ, TRN, VCE.
(In the case of PKX and PVG there are no services, for the other locations it's up to 50% of services.)
BA Book with Confidence Policy
BA have instigated a policy of bookings made on or after 3 March 2020 with zero change fees. Initially this policy will expire end of 3116 March 2020. Details can be found in this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ce-policy.html
Note.. despite the official start date of 3 March for this policy, at least one FT-er has advised that a booking on 2 March also attracted zero change fees.
BA has now expanded the book with confidence policy to expire 31 March 2020. Starting date of 3 March 2020 is unchanged. China inc HKG
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:-
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.
Italy
BA has issued a Customer Guideline Update 1 for travel to the north of Italy, defined as:
LIN/MXP – Milan
TRN – Turin
BLQ – Bologna
VCE – Venice
BGY – Bergamo
VRN - Verona
Tickets issued by 24 February can be changed. If they are dated for original travel on 25 February – 02 March 2020, they can now be moved to 25 February – 31 March 2020. Alternatively changed to ZRH or GVA (note some of these services will be running very full at this time of the year). Refunds not allowed, redemptions are in scope for change.
Update: Travelling 29 Feb to 15 March can now change date of travel and postpone to up to the 3 Apr or change airport to Geneva or Zurich. Rredemptions included but refunds still not included
Further details:
Singapore
BA11 has been cancelled on March 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25, and corresponding returns on BA12 (the next day) have been cancelled.
Information Resources
Travel restrictions by country
IATA's central list of restrictions relating to Covid-19 is here:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
Australian government site for visit/transit restrictions for various countries after visiting certain countries (not just for Australians, as it lists countries visited/transited etc.). It includes information that is missing from IATA list too.
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
11 March 2020:
For people who are based in the US, the US CDC travel warning for Schengen zone has been updated to Level 3 "Avoid nonessential travel".
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices...navirus-europe
In addition, US Department of State have updated the global travel advisory to Level 3 "Reconsider Travel.
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...ory-issue.html
This may affect your travel insurance cover (or enable you to claim back the cost of cancellation).
Information resources (e.g. links of entry restrictions/quarantine requirements) are provided at the bottom of Wiki.
29 Feb 2020: List of routes with cancellations from 13 March to 28 March: PKX, PVG, HKG, SIN, LIN, ICN, VRN, BGY, BLQ, TRN, VCE.
(In the case of PKX and PVG there are no services, for the other locations it's up to 50% of services.)
BA Book with Confidence Policy
BA have instigated a policy of bookings made on or after 3 March 2020 with zero change fees. Initially this policy will expire end of 31
Note.. despite the official start date of 3 March for this policy, at least one FT-er has advised that a booking on 2 March also attracted zero change fees.
BA has now expanded the book with confidence policy to expire 31 March 2020. Starting date of 3 March 2020 is unchanged.
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.
Italy
BA has issued a Customer Guideline Update 1 for travel to the north of Italy, defined as:
LIN/MXP – Milan
TRN – Turin
BLQ – Bologna
VCE – Venice
BGY – Bergamo
VRN - Verona
Tickets issued by 24 February can be changed. If they are dated for original travel on 25 February – 02 March 2020, they can now be moved to 25 February – 31 March 2020. Alternatively changed to ZRH or GVA (note some of these services will be running very full at this time of the year). Refunds not allowed, redemptions are in scope for change.
Update: Travelling 29 Feb to 15 March can now change date of travel and postpone to up to the 3 Apr or change airport to Geneva or Zurich. Rredemptions included but refunds still not included
Further details:
Key Message
The following guidelines have been published to assist any customer who may wish to change their travel date for Northern Italy.
Advice for British Airways-125 ticketed customers whose BA, IB, AY or AA flight is still OPERATING
Rebook onto: British Airways or AJB
Airports affected - To/From
LIN/MXP – Milan
TRN – Turin
BLQ – Bologna
VCE – Venice
BGY – Bergamo
VRN - Verona
Tickets issued by: 24 February 2020
Ticket travel dates: 25 February – 02 March 2020
New travel dates: 25 February – 31 March 2020
Rebooking Allowance: Rebook into the same class as the original flight or lowest available in the same cabin
Change of gateway: Rebook onto a British Airways operated service to/from ZRH (Zurich) or GVA (Geneva) and London (any airport) into the same class as the original flight or lowest available in the same cabin. Must advise the customer that any consequential cost to travel between the original and the new Swiss gateway, e.g. surface transport, hotels, etc. are at their expense. Add a remark into the booking stating that you have advised this. Visas may also need to be checked to travel into Switzerland.
Origin/Destination/Stopover changes: Yes – as above
Refunds Allowed: No
Redemptions included: Yes
Available for Trade: Yes
Important Information
One involuntary ticket change allowed from the above options
Includes any connecting BA/Joint Business services on the same ticket
For customers on cancelled flights, please follow the standard customer guidelines >
· Adherence to commercial policies/standard customer guidelines remains entirely the responsibility of the user. BA reserves the right to withdraw guidelines at any time
The following guidelines have been published to assist any customer who may wish to change their travel date for Northern Italy.
Advice for British Airways-125 ticketed customers whose BA, IB, AY or AA flight is still OPERATING
Rebook onto: British Airways or AJB
Airports affected - To/From
LIN/MXP – Milan
TRN – Turin
BLQ – Bologna
VCE – Venice
BGY – Bergamo
VRN - Verona
Tickets issued by: 24 February 2020
Ticket travel dates: 25 February – 02 March 2020
New travel dates: 25 February – 31 March 2020
Rebooking Allowance: Rebook into the same class as the original flight or lowest available in the same cabin
Change of gateway: Rebook onto a British Airways operated service to/from ZRH (Zurich) or GVA (Geneva) and London (any airport) into the same class as the original flight or lowest available in the same cabin. Must advise the customer that any consequential cost to travel between the original and the new Swiss gateway, e.g. surface transport, hotels, etc. are at their expense. Add a remark into the booking stating that you have advised this. Visas may also need to be checked to travel into Switzerland.
Origin/Destination/Stopover changes: Yes – as above
Refunds Allowed: No
Redemptions included: Yes
Available for Trade: Yes
Important Information
One involuntary ticket change allowed from the above options
Includes any connecting BA/Joint Business services on the same ticket
For customers on cancelled flights, please follow the standard customer guidelines >
· Adherence to commercial policies/standard customer guidelines remains entirely the responsibility of the user. BA reserves the right to withdraw guidelines at any time
BA11 has been cancelled on March 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25, and corresponding returns on BA12 (the next day) have been cancelled.
Information Resources
Travel restrictions by country
IATA's central list of restrictions relating to Covid-19 is here:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
Australian government site for visit/transit restrictions for various countries after visiting certain countries (not just for Australians, as it lists countries visited/transited etc.). It includes information that is missing from IATA list too.
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
11 March 2020:
For people who are based in the US, the US CDC travel warning for Schengen zone has been updated to Level 3 "Avoid nonessential travel".
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices...navirus-europe
In addition, US Department of State have updated the global travel advisory to Level 3 "Reconsider Travel.
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...ory-issue.html
This may affect your travel insurance cover (or enable you to claim back the cost of cancellation).
Covid-19 and BA flight cancellations & rebooking: info & advice thread [*noise-free*]
Mar 5, 2020, 9:24 am
#136
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Mar 5, 2020, 9:26 am
#137
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
You are entitled to rebook at no charge on to the AY flights (subject to space of course) on that route under the standard guidelines so they should have been. I don't know why it wasn't offered online, so I guess you may have had to call to do it.
Mar 5, 2020, 9:33 am
#138
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Too late now. Already ticketed on Finnair with AA miles and cancelled the BA ticket before I did that.
Mar 5, 2020, 9:33 am
#139
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Oxford
Programs: BA Silver, HH Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 169
Result! WTP seats are a bit scarce though...
Mar 5, 2020, 11:31 am
#140
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Seattle, Wash. USA
Posts: 1,531
I wish I could say that the US will reciprocate, but I know better. There were "reports" yesterday of uninsured individuals being charged upwards of U$1000 just for the Covid-19 virus test.
Mar 5, 2020, 12:22 pm
#141
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 556
BA 1386 Heathrow (London) Terminal 5 - Manchester on Wed 25 Mar 2020, 08:00 has been cancelled
rebooked onto BA 1390 Heathrow (London) Terminal 5 - Manchester Terminal 3 on Wed 25 Mar 2020, 10:50
Mar 5, 2020, 12:24 pm
#142
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 14
I really understand your frustration as I am in the same situation like you. I am checking every day to see if BA will cancel my flight to Seoul on 20 March. I tried to email them again when I saw that you ''can book with confidence'' now between 3-16 of March and I asked what can they do about me and other people like me? The answer was : '' We understand your frustration and we know it is a difficult situation, but none of our polices covers your circumstances''. So all I can do now is wait and hope that at some point before my flight, UK will decide to ban the flights to South Korea like Australia did today and many other countries before. It is really unbelievable that now when South Korea is the second hot spot after China with more than 6.000 cases, some Airlines like BA still think it is alright for us to travel there as long as they can get the money from us.
Last edited by Londoner0507; Mar 5, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Mar 5, 2020, 12:35 pm
#143
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 14
I have the same problem and its laughable that instead of letting us reschedule they put promotion to get new customers (about rescheduling for free if you make new booking from 3rd march) instead of taking care of old customers! So many other airlines have already cancelled or have let reschedule trips to other dates, but british airways is waiting just for money... I check everyday hoping they will cancel my flight, bc I have on 10th, but it seems im naiive and its just my wishful thinking. I wonder who is really nowadays travelling to south korea...
Mar 5, 2020, 12:45 pm
#144
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 457
I just checked
on 28 Jan China had 6k cases and next day ba cancel all flights....
Now South Korea have the same situation so tomorrow BA should cancel....
Italy almost 4k cases now....
on 28 Jan China had 6k cases and next day ba cancel all flights....
Now South Korea have the same situation so tomorrow BA should cancel....
Italy almost 4k cases now....
Mar 5, 2020, 1:31 pm
#145
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Accor Live Limitless Gold, Hilton Honours Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,806
Whilst that may seem like a logical deduction, BA cancelled its flights after the FCO changed its travel guidelines for China, I would only expect BA to do the same for other destinations of FCO did the same.
Mar 5, 2020, 2:36 pm
#146
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,447
I'd like to see BA do what AY seem to be doing...
"If you have a Finnair operated and marketed flight on Finnair ticket for travel on 4-31 March 2020, you can postpone your travel until 30 June 2020 with no extra cost."
There doesn't seem to be any criterion on original destination or when the ticket was booked.
"If you have a Finnair operated and marketed flight on Finnair ticket for travel on 4-31 March 2020, you can postpone your travel until 30 June 2020 with no extra cost."
There doesn't seem to be any criterion on original destination or when the ticket was booked.
Mar 5, 2020, 3:26 pm
#147
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,232
at first it seemed odd the book with confidence was limited to a small window...but i see they are just seeing how things play out like everyone else. i have a big TP run in the US starting on easter. and the virus is only now starting to spread in the US, so who knows what the situation will be by easter.
Mar 5, 2020, 3:27 pm
#148
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Geneva/Sydney
Programs: Mucci; BA, LT GGL; QF, platinum; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 926
Flying from Sydney to London end of March using my Qantas points.
Booked on BA16 SYD to SIN in WTP then BA12 SIN to LHR in CW.
I'm guessing our second leg on BA12 is at risk of being cancelled. I can' find exact dates but I think they have only reviewed and changed flights up until 24th March.
There is redemption availability on other dates within a week for the BA16 and BA12 from SIN to LHR. Is there any consistency on which one likely is likely to be dropped?
I think we have a better chance if we premptively change rather than get bumped and be bottom of the choice in premium cabins due to redemption.
Booked on BA16 SYD to SIN in WTP then BA12 SIN to LHR in CW.
I'm guessing our second leg on BA12 is at risk of being cancelled. I can' find exact dates but I think they have only reviewed and changed flights up until 24th March.
There is redemption availability on other dates within a week for the BA16 and BA12 from SIN to LHR. Is there any consistency on which one likely is likely to be dropped?
I think we have a better chance if we premptively change rather than get bumped and be bottom of the choice in premium cabins due to redemption.
So if you are thinking of any changes stick with BA16, particularly as it is showing J9C9D9R9I9 everyday from 27 to 31 March..
Mar 5, 2020, 6:17 pm
#149
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 45
Gahhhhhh my parents are booked club world Heathrow to LAX end of March, I paid $280 for seat selection but just had to cancel that reservation and re-book on an earlier flight (the last leg of their trip to Italy had been canceled (although BA won't refund or rebook the Venice-Gatwick leg <eye roll> ) so they'll be heading home a week ahead of schedule. I don't expect a refund of the $280 seat selection but at least thought BA would let me apply it to the new booking. Spent 2 hours and 40 minutes on hold today to find out that... alas, they will not :/
Mar 5, 2020, 6:22 pm
#150
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
Why wouldn’t they rebook the VCE flights? There are some still running both from LHR and LGW.