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, 6:54 pm
#151
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 208
Traveling back to BOS from BLR in 5 days. Both flights look pretty empty. At what point should I start thinking about having a backup itinerary in mind, were BA to cancel any (especially the BLR-LHR leg) of the flights due to load factors?
Mar 5, 2020, 7:00 pm
#152
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 45
The original VCE to LGW were super cheap - about 50 pounds each. The cruise they are on is canceling all Italian ports and now dropping them in Marseille. To change the VCE - LGW flight to MRS-LGW, BA wanted 70 pounds change fee per ticket plus 200 pounds per ticket cost adjustment. I'm just going to sit tight and hope BA eventually cancels that VCE flight. It's all so fluid and unknown but man the not letting me re-apply the seat selection fee really stunk.
Mar 6, 2020, 1:29 am
#153
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 6
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.
Thanks for info.Hopefully they will do sth until 20 th march. For my flight on 10th I doubt so...
However from 9th March Japan doesnt let people coming from Korea come and they need to be quarantited. I have flight to Korea, and return flight from Japan (same ticket). I wonder what now will BA do about my flight. They probably dont care and I will have to pay for rebook anyway, which doesnt make sense since I LITERALLY cant board bc of govenment policies.
Mar 6, 2020, 1:55 am
#154
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 935
Thanks for info.Hopefully they will do sth until 20 th march. For my flight on 10th I doubt so...
However from 9th March Japan doesnt let people coming from Korea come and they need to be quarantited. I have flight to Korea, and return flight from Japan (same ticket). I wonder what now will BA do about my flight. They probably dont care and I will have to pay for rebook anyway, which doesnt make sense since I LITERALLY cant board bc of govenment policies.
However from 9th March Japan doesnt let people coming from Korea come and they need to be quarantited. I have flight to Korea, and return flight from Japan (same ticket). I wonder what now will BA do about my flight. They probably dont care and I will have to pay for rebook anyway, which doesnt make sense since I LITERALLY cant board bc of govenment policies.
It may take one or two more days though for a policy to be updated, though I would hope not. What change would you like to make? Just fly a simple UK-Japan return? Or delay the whole trip to a later date?
Mar 6, 2020, 2:12 am
#155
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 6
Ouch - that is unlucky in terms of the timing. I would expect though that in this case (I am assuming a BA open jaw ticket LHR-SEL and then TYO-LHR) that they will let you make a change (or cancel the booking), as it is obvious that you cannot complete the itinerary as planned due to the rule to be imposed on March 9th (assuming your planned stay in Japan is less than 14 days).
It may take one or two more days though for a policy to be updated, though I would hope not. What change would you like to make? Just fly a simple UK-Japan return? Or delay the whole trip to a later date?
It may take one or two more days though for a policy to be updated, though I would hope not. What change would you like to make? Just fly a simple UK-Japan return? Or delay the whole trip to a later date?
I will call again and ask, but helpline cant do anything if BA doesnt change their policies...
Mar 6, 2020, 2:54 am
#156
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 245
Deleted
Last edited by Voda_boy; Mar 6, 2020 at 2:55 am Reason: Forgot to include a quote. Resubmitted.
Mar 6, 2020, 9:10 am
#158
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: GRU, ZRH, LUG
Programs: LX SEN
Posts: 141
Lufthansa just issued a "Flexible Rebooking" policy for all tickets. Time for BA to follow.
Mar 6, 2020, 9:53 am
#159
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West Lothian
Programs: BA Exec Club Silver, IHG Platinum Elite, Qatar Privilege Club
Posts: 508
I wonder if BA/Amex are considering offering extensions to 2-4-1 vouchers, given the situation.
Mar 6, 2020, 10:14 am
#160
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
If this gets any worse BA will have to consider something. Whether that be lowering fares even further (at the moment I don’t think there are any wow fares over the summer) or offering some flexibility around the rebooking of old bookings.
I wonder if they planning on a reduced operation this Spring (April/May) and not just March.
I wonder if they planning on a reduced operation this Spring (April/May) and not just March.
Mar 6, 2020, 11:16 am
#161
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 629
If this gets any worse BA will have to consider something. Whether that be lowering fares even further (at the moment I don’t think there are any wow fares over the summer) or offering some flexibility around the rebooking of old bookings.
I wonder if they planning on a reduced operation this Spring (April/May) and not just March.
I wonder if they planning on a reduced operation this Spring (April/May) and not just March.
Mar 6, 2020, 11:46 am
#162
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 6
I called today, explained situation about new policy law from 9th march and lady after few mins of waiting (probably asked manager for help...) has let me know that i can rebook to another date up to 1 of August free of charge, but same route. She mentioned tho that its just not permanent and if I call on Monday they might not accept 'the deal' anymore. (maybe bc Japan might resign from that policy or sth? or she was just worried that i will call someone else and they wont agree ?) I decided with my friend (same situation) that we will wait until Monday. Maybe then they will finally refund us otherwise we reschedule to another date. I will let you know on monday/tuesday what happened.
Mar 6, 2020, 12:08 pm
#163
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cheltenham
Programs: KLM Plat for Life , BA Gold, HH Silver, (Other half Diamond), IHG Gold
Posts: 2,399
KLM is being very generous:
Got travel plans or have you already booked flights, but doubting whether your trip will go ahead? KLM would like to offer you a helping hand by temporarily introducing the option to change your ticket without a change fee. You can change the period in which you choose to fly as well as the destination. The costs of any fare differences will remain applicable. This option is valid for bookings made by 31 March 2020 for flights departing by 31 May 2020.
Would you like to change your travel dates? This option applies to all tickets on global KLM and Air France flights. Your new departure date should be no later than 31 May 2020. The costs of any fare differences will remain applicable. You can easily change your ticket via ‘My Trip’ on klm.my or via the KLM app.
Would you rather travel after 31 May 2020 or change your destination? Then you can exchange your ticket for a voucher. This is redeemable for tickets from KLM, Air France or Delta Air Lines, and can also be used to buy extra options on KLM flights.
Got travel plans or have you already booked flights, but doubting whether your trip will go ahead? KLM would like to offer you a helping hand by temporarily introducing the option to change your ticket without a change fee. You can change the period in which you choose to fly as well as the destination. The costs of any fare differences will remain applicable. This option is valid for bookings made by 31 March 2020 for flights departing by 31 May 2020.
Would you like to change your travel dates? This option applies to all tickets on global KLM and Air France flights. Your new departure date should be no later than 31 May 2020. The costs of any fare differences will remain applicable. You can easily change your ticket via ‘My Trip’ on klm.my or via the KLM app.
Would you rather travel after 31 May 2020 or change your destination? Then you can exchange your ticket for a voucher. This is redeemable for tickets from KLM, Air France or Delta Air Lines, and can also be used to buy extra options on KLM flights.
Mar 6, 2020, 12:33 pm
#164
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,448
KLM is being very generous:
Got travel plans or have you already booked flights, but doubting whether your trip will go ahead? KLM would like to offer you a helping hand by temporarily introducing the option to change your ticket without a change fee. You can change the period in which you choose to fly as well as the destination. The costs of any fare differences will remain applicable. This option is valid for bookings made by 31 March 2020 for flights departing by 31 May 2020.
Would you like to change your travel dates? This option applies to all tickets on global KLM and Air France flights. Your new departure date should be no later than 31 May 2020. The costs of any fare differences will remain applicable. You can easily change your ticket via ‘My Trip’ on klm.my or via the KLM app.
Would you rather travel after 31 May 2020 or change your destination? Then you can exchange your ticket for a voucher. This is redeemable for tickets from KLM, Air France or Delta Air Lines, and can also be used to buy extra options on KLM flights.
Got travel plans or have you already booked flights, but doubting whether your trip will go ahead? KLM would like to offer you a helping hand by temporarily introducing the option to change your ticket without a change fee. You can change the period in which you choose to fly as well as the destination. The costs of any fare differences will remain applicable. This option is valid for bookings made by 31 March 2020 for flights departing by 31 May 2020.
Would you like to change your travel dates? This option applies to all tickets on global KLM and Air France flights. Your new departure date should be no later than 31 May 2020. The costs of any fare differences will remain applicable. You can easily change your ticket via ‘My Trip’ on klm.my or via the KLM app.
Would you rather travel after 31 May 2020 or change your destination? Then you can exchange your ticket for a voucher. This is redeemable for tickets from KLM, Air France or Delta Air Lines, and can also be used to buy extra options on KLM flights.
Mar 6, 2020, 12:45 pm
#165
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
I wonder will BA follow suit?