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 7, 2020, 5:31 am
#181
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: American Life Time 2 Million Mile Platinum
Posts: 368
Since the corona virus anyone experienced any flexibility in standing by for a flight on an earlier day when the ticket is a non refundable ticket (A). Due to fly LHR - JFK on March 17 but with what's going on would be happier getting home sooner. Happy to stand by for the 15th or 16th if BA is being more flexible with 'non changeable' tickets. Don't think my status as emerald will help but if anyone has any recent experience in changing a 'fixed' reservation would be interested to know.
A: With the sales going on due to reduced demand for air travel, look at buying a ticket from JFK-LHR on the date you need from AA, BA or even Virgin.
B: Don’t go, stay home. With the number of Covid 19 cases increasing in NYC, your chances of getting quarantined on return to LHR go up daily.
All the best.
Mar 7, 2020, 6:32 am
#182
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 858
The Aero Friedrichshaven trade show has just been cancelled.
I have flights at beginning of April EDI-LHR-Zurich for this. Any idea when BA will announce the flight cancellations for this period?
Hotels were on points and unfortunately I booked with cash rather than avios to get flygoddess Silver status!
I have flights at beginning of April EDI-LHR-Zurich for this. Any idea when BA will announce the flight cancellations for this period?
Hotels were on points and unfortunately I booked with cash rather than avios to get flygoddess Silver status!
Mar 7, 2020, 6:43 am
#183
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,722
Due to EC261, mass cancellations will typically happen with 2 weeks notice. I've notice some much more short term cancellations on top, but these are when there are replacement services close by. In the case of Zurich to Edinburgh, the frequency of flights is such that I think you can assume you will be travelling either as planned or within a few hours of the original schedule.
Mar 7, 2020, 7:30 am
#184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,124
I'm booked on MAD in mid April, 777 service. Minor complication is that's an LHR/MAD return which links into a MAN/LHR return I already had booked. So if my MAD get cancelled I'm goi g to have to beg BA to also change the MAN/LHR trip to suit as they are 2 separate bookings given the MAN/LHR was already booked.
Has anyone had any experience of knock on effect of bookings on separate PNRs yet?
Has anyone had any experience of knock on effect of bookings on separate PNRs yet?
Mar 7, 2020, 7:32 am
#185
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: BER
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,842
Due to EC261, mass cancellations will typically happen with 2 weeks notice. I've notice some much more short term cancellations on top, but these are when there are replacement services close by. In the case of Zurich to Edinburgh, the frequency of flights is such that I think you can assume you will be travelling either as planned or within a few hours of the original schedule.
I have booked a TP run beginning and ending a holiday trip to the states in early April. since the itiniary is now 10 legs long and there are multiple flight cancellations due to Corona / low demand / combination of both ... what do you think: will there flights be cancelled over the easter Holiday? when will we know? is it lottery? am I correct that what ever happens i will get an ORC?
routing is ARN-HEL-LHR-CLT-ORD//LAS-LAX-JFK-LHR-HEL-ARN
i think its too early to know for sure but i promised nethertheless to ask "those onlineboard friends you have"...
Mar 7, 2020, 7:37 am
#186
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL & CCR, GFL
Posts: 494
following up to that answer, i have a question:
I have booked a TP run beginning and ending a holiday trip to the states in early April. since the itiniary is now 10 legs long and there are multiple flight cancellations due to Corona / low demand / combination of both ... what do you think: will there flights be cancelled over the easter Holiday? when will we know? is it lottery? am I correct that what ever happens i will get an ORC?
routing is ARN-HEL-LHR-CLT-ORD//LAS-LAX-JFK-LHR-HEL-ARN
i think its too early to know for sure but i promised nethertheless to ask "those onlineboard friends you have"...
I have booked a TP run beginning and ending a holiday trip to the states in early April. since the itiniary is now 10 legs long and there are multiple flight cancellations due to Corona / low demand / combination of both ... what do you think: will there flights be cancelled over the easter Holiday? when will we know? is it lottery? am I correct that what ever happens i will get an ORC?
routing is ARN-HEL-LHR-CLT-ORD//LAS-LAX-JFK-LHR-HEL-ARN
i think its too early to know for sure but i promised nethertheless to ask "those onlineboard friends you have"...
To get ORC, you have to fly at least some of the itinerary and then apply afterwards or be re-routed on another carrier to the destination and retro claim after that.
It’s only by travelling that you earn TPs (unless policies are changed due to the current situation...)
Mar 7, 2020, 7:41 am
#187
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: BER
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,842
If you decide to cancel and refund the whole lot there is no ORC.
To get ORC, you have to fly at least some of the itinerary and then apply afterwards or be re-routed on another carrier to the destination and retro claim after that.
It’s only by travelling that you earn TPs (unless policies are changed due to the current situation...)
To get ORC, you have to fly at least some of the itinerary and then apply afterwards or be re-routed on another carrier to the destination and retro claim after that.
It’s only by travelling that you earn TPs (unless policies are changed due to the current situation...)
Mar 7, 2020, 7:48 am
#188
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: A hop, skip and jump away from MAN.
Programs: BAEC Gold, ex-VS Gold, ex-UA Gold, Premier Inn Platinum-Iridium
Posts: 1,114
Also assuming that you've not got stopovers inserted into any of your routing convolutions?
Mar 7, 2020, 7:54 am
#189
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,722
I think you are right that we can't take much for granted, this is pure crystal ball work, in other words guess work. My feeling is
1) The two week rule is probably going to hold up, regardless. It makes sense for both EC261 and for airlines' own planning. So once you are within 2 weeks you can probably take it as more-or-less fixed.
2) USA doesn't have EC261....... On the other hand their Contact Centres are fairly helpful so long as you give them solutions rather than problems.
3) My feeling is that though there is a clear dip in demand, around Easter these routes will still be commercially viable.
4) Relying on ORC isn't going to be reliable if cancelled in advance. On 125 tickets at the last moment you have a chance of claiming ORC, but otherwise I would try to stick to something like the above if you want the TPs.
5) The return isn't that TP-ish or outlandish. Outbound will risk some consolidation if there are cancellations.
1) The two week rule is probably going to hold up, regardless. It makes sense for both EC261 and for airlines' own planning. So once you are within 2 weeks you can probably take it as more-or-less fixed.
2) USA doesn't have EC261....... On the other hand their Contact Centres are fairly helpful so long as you give them solutions rather than problems.
3) My feeling is that though there is a clear dip in demand, around Easter these routes will still be commercially viable.
4) Relying on ORC isn't going to be reliable if cancelled in advance. On 125 tickets at the last moment you have a chance of claiming ORC, but otherwise I would try to stick to something like the above if you want the TPs.
5) The return isn't that TP-ish or outlandish. Outbound will risk some consolidation if there are cancellations.
Mar 7, 2020, 11:13 am
#191
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 22
TLV
Looks like TLV will be cancelled next week. What are the options for redemption bookings?
Mar 7, 2020, 11:14 am
#192
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL & CCR, GFL
Posts: 494
The Governor of New York just declared a 'State of Emergency' due to Covid-19. Will be interesting see if there are restrictions put on arrivals/departures.
Last edited by AdBoy; Mar 7, 2020 at 11:22 am
Mar 7, 2020, 12:24 pm
#194
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
I have a ba holidays hotel and car as well so hopefully I can just cancel them all until sanity prevails.
Looks like they will announce other banned countries tomorrow and Monday.
Mar 7, 2020, 1:28 pm
#195
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,212
The Italian government is going to consider the entirety of Lombardy and another 11 provinces as “red zone” and will close them down to outside access. I imagine it’ll mean the end of flights to and from MXP and LIN.
