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Covid-19 and BA flight cancellations & rebooking: info & advice thread [*noise-free*]

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Old Feb 28, 2020, 9:30 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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 31 16 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:-
  • 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).
In addition, on Mon 08.06.2020: 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).
In addition, on Tue 09.06.2020: 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
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).






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Covid-19 and BA flight cancellations & rebooking: info & advice thread [*noise-free*]

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Old Mar 8, 2020, 5:02 am
  #211  
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New policy for Italy just released British Airways or AJB

Airports affected

To/From

LIN/MXP – Milan

TRN – Turin

BLQ – Bologna

VCE – Venice

BGY – Bergamo

VRN - Verona

Tickets issued by

07 March 2020

Ticket travel dates

Up to and including 04 April 2020

New travel dates

Up to and including 31May 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

Yes - for travel to/from LIN, MXP, VCE, BGY only if any sector is for travel up to and including 04April20

No other destination unless flight is cancelled

Redemptions included

Yes

Available for Trade

Yes
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 5:04 am
  #212  
 
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Originally Posted by LTN Phobia
I believe it's just a requirement to complete a form before being allowed entry into the country. According to the IATA document: "2. Passengers and airline crew on board of a flight where even one passenger is traveling directly or indirectly from China (People's Rep.), Hong Kong (SAR China), Italy, Korea (Rep.) or Macao (SAR China) must fill-in the "health part" of the general declaration form provided by the cabin crew. The forms must be submitted to the Public Health Authorities at point of entry."

I believe there has not yet been a reported case in Poland. They might impose some extra requirements or restrictions at a short notice due to developing situations, so I guess the best thing you can do is to keep your eye on the IATA document (the IATA document is only up-to-date to what's active today, and some of the latest developments are not included yet, e.g. Australian ban on those who have been in Iran in the last 14 days that was announced today).

I'm planning to press ahead with my trip to Poland, unless my route to there becomes dicey (e.g. the UK). Hopefully there won't be any BA cancellation of flights to Poland.
further to my previous reply, here is the promised update...

I flew back to Poland (KRK) on thursday as expected, but direct from lhr rather than via VIE.

On approach to KRK there was an announcement asking people who had been in china, iran, south korea, italy in the last 14 days to make themselves known to crew to get a form to fill out.

Once again nothing for me to do.

As the situation changes i would expect further changes, but thats what happened on Thursday.

cases are now starting to be reported in Poland, currently 5
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 6:06 am
  #213  
 
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It seems that BA have reduced their services further to Milan. Only three a day now for Mon, Tues and Weds next week. A more frequent schedule currently seems to resume on Thursday but I can’t see that lasting.
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 6:08 am
  #214  
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Originally Posted by HFHFFlyer
It seems that BA have reduced their services further to Milan. Only three a day now for Mon, Tues and Weds next week. A more frequent schedule currently seems to resume on Thursday but I can’t see that lasting.
meeting very early this week senior management about reduction of schedule to other destinations
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 6:20 am
  #215  
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Originally Posted by Hawk777
meeting very early this week senior management about reduction of schedule to other destinations
heathrow has been feeling eerily quiet on my last few visits so not entirely surprised. One critical issue will be to find whether covid19 is influenced by seasonality like the flu in which case things might get better with the spring but potentially worsen in the autumn. Right now, uncertainty is the name of the game.
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 6:28 am
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Originally Posted by orbitmic
heathrow has been feeling eerily quiet on my last few visits so not entirely surprised. One critical issue will be to find whether covid19 is influenced by seasonality like the flu in which case things might get better with the spring but potentially worsen in the autumn. Right now, uncertainty is the name of the game.
yes was there yesterday just flying man LHR returnfor the day and never seen the f lounge so quiet
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 6:33 am
  #217  
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Big fan of the Coronavirus. I just arrived at T5 from CDG to a longhaul connection. And they have a spot for me in 30 minutes for a facial at the spa.
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 7:32 am
  #218  
 
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Originally Posted by HFHFFlyer
It seems that BA have reduced their services further to Milan. Only three a day now for Mon, Tues and Weds next week. A more frequent schedule currently seems to resume on Thursday but I can’t see that lasting.
There was only three of the scheduled eight flights on Friday, approx 30 PAX on BA577,

One cabin crew member wearing a mask and 10 + PAX.
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 7:46 am
  #219  
 
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Could someone point me to the policy on voluntary amendments to BA Holidays bookings. One of our group on a forthcoming trip has had leave cancelled because of CoVid-19 (she’s a critical care consultant at a London teaching hospital) and we’d rather postpone than leave her behind. We’re within five weeks of travel so I know a refund is out of the question. However I am struggling to find information on change fees and indeed what flexibility there is absent Foreign Office advice not to travel/cancellation by BA. Many thanks!
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 7:52 am
  #220  
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Originally Posted by BAECAddict
Could someone point me to the policy on voluntary amendments to BA Holidays bookings. One of our group on a forthcoming trip has had leave cancelled because of CoVid-19 (she’s a critical care consultant at a London teaching hospital) and we’d rather postpone than leave her behind. We’re within five weeks of travel so I know a refund is out of the question. However I am struggling to find information on change fees and indeed what flexibility there is absent Foreign Office advice not to travel/cancellation by BA. Many thanks!
it depends somewhat on the destination and when was the booking made. If you are able to provide additional information you will receive a more accurate response.
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 8:13 am
  #221  
 
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Originally Posted by Tobias-UK
it depends somewhat on the destination and when was the booking made. If you are able to provide additional information you will receive a more accurate response.
So it was made in May last year for flights LHR to Boston (5 April) and then back from Washington DC (17 April) with accommodation booked in both those cities and one other.

I’m not expecting to receive any special treatment (and I may have posted in the wrong place)... I’m struggling to find the “normal” policy on changing flight+hotel bookings within five weeks of departure.
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 8:25 am
  #222  
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Originally Posted by BAECAddict
So it was made in May last year for flights LHR to Boston (5 April) and then back from Washington DC (17 April) with accommodation booked in both those cities and one other.

I’m not expecting to receive any special treatment (and I may have posted in the wrong place)... I’m struggling to find the “normal” policy on changing flight+hotel bookings within five weeks of departure.
The T&Cs are here:
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...and-conditions
in short you would need to call BA Holidays (specifically) and ask them what the cost of moving to another date would be. However if something really bad happens, there is this clause:

7.5.3. If you are a resident of the EEA and have purchased a Package, you may cancel your booking before the start of the Package without paying any cancellation fees in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity which significantly affect (a) the performance of the package or (b) the carriage of passengers to the destination.

For the person directly affected, I would usually expect the employer to cover their costs if the cancellation is an employment restriction. My travel insurance policy has this clause in it:
If you or a travelling companion are a member of the Armed Forces, or Territorial Army, or police, fire, nursing or ambulance services and have authorised leave cancelled or are called up for operational reasons. This cover will only apply if the need to cancel a trip could not reasonably have been expected at the time this insurance was purchased and at the time of booking any trip. We’ll need written confirmation from your employer that your trip had to be cancelled.
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 8:26 am
  #223  
 
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Thank you so much, c-w-s!
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 8:28 am
  #224  
 
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Originally Posted by Hawk777
meeting very early this week senior management about reduction of schedule to other destinations
Thanks for the info! Do let us know what comes out of the meeting.

I have a flight at the end of the month (beginning of the summer season) and am worried it will be cancelled due to BA reducing their network/operations.
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Old Mar 8, 2020, 8:45 am
  #225  
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Originally Posted by BAeuro
Thanks for the info! Do let us know what comes out of the meeting.

I have a flight at the end of the month (beginning of the summer season) and am worried it will be cancelled due to BA reducing their network/operations.
any cancellations and reductions ba make of own choice will be with 14days plus notice to avoid compensation and if you are impacted normally policy is you can be rebooked on another carrier to get you to destinations
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