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 8, 2020, 9:08 am
#226
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Helvetia
Programs: AS; BA Silver; UA; HH Gold; Sprüngli Connaisseur
Posts: 2,912
I'm not sure the trains will be running in a week to Milan. The government has already told people to travel outside rush hour on the trains if at all possible. Switzerland now has one of the higher per-capita infection rates. It's all a bit like a bad sci-fi novel.
Mar 8, 2020, 9:26 am
#227
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 10
Covid 19 advise flying to ICN
Hi I’m flying to ICN at the end of April visiting busan about and seoul
I’ve booked a non refundable ticket through an online company
South Korea is the second biggest destination outside China affected by Covid 19 with over 6000 cases
Why is that BA have no policy in place for rebooking for people travelling immediately and in a 4 week period as an example , it seems very bizarre
Due to the situation I’m reluctant to travel there.
Any advise would be appreciated
my travel agent say if I wish to canx I will be refunded government taxes only however I would have to pay the agency a canx charge of £79.00 per person which pretty much wipes out the tax refund
I’ve booked a non refundable ticket through an online company
South Korea is the second biggest destination outside China affected by Covid 19 with over 6000 cases
Why is that BA have no policy in place for rebooking for people travelling immediately and in a 4 week period as an example , it seems very bizarre
Due to the situation I’m reluctant to travel there.
Any advise would be appreciated
my travel agent say if I wish to canx I will be refunded government taxes only however I would have to pay the agency a canx charge of £79.00 per person which pretty much wipes out the tax refund
Mar 8, 2020, 9:41 am
#228
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 629
Hi I’m flying to ICN at the end of April visiting busan about and seoul
I’ve booked a non refundable ticket through an online company
South Korea is the second biggest destination outside China affected by Covid 19 with over 6000 cases
Why is that BA have no policy in place for rebooking for people travelling immediately and in a 4 week period as an example , it seems very bizarre
Due to the situation I’m reluctant to travel there.
Any advise would be appreciated
my travel agent say if I wish to canx I will be refunded government taxes only however I would have to pay the agency a canx charge of £79.00 per person which pretty much wipes out the tax refund
I’ve booked a non refundable ticket through an online company
South Korea is the second biggest destination outside China affected by Covid 19 with over 6000 cases
Why is that BA have no policy in place for rebooking for people travelling immediately and in a 4 week period as an example , it seems very bizarre
Due to the situation I’m reluctant to travel there.
Any advise would be appreciated
my travel agent say if I wish to canx I will be refunded government taxes only however I would have to pay the agency a canx charge of £79.00 per person which pretty much wipes out the tax refund
Mar 8, 2020, 9:49 am
#229
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 10
thanks for replying but to get to the destinations in south korea which have travel restrictions in place (3 areas ) the only major airport to get to these is ICN, surely BA should have some kind of policy out
Mar 8, 2020, 10:06 am
#230
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: living near Malaga
Programs: BA Gold , Mucci recipient. Coffee Drinker, Blue Sky Thinker
Posts: 2,111
Hi I’m flying to ICN at the end of April visiting busan about and seoul
I’ve booked a non refundable ticket through an online company
South Korea is the second biggest destination outside China affected by Covid 19 with over 6000 cases
Why is that BA have no policy in place for rebooking for people travelling immediately and in a 4 week period as an example , it seems very bizarre
Due to the situation I’m reluctant to travel there.
Any advise would be appreciated
my travel agent say if I wish to canx I will be refunded government taxes only however I would have to pay the agency a canx charge of £79.00 per person which pretty much wipes out the tax refund
I’ve booked a non refundable ticket through an online company
South Korea is the second biggest destination outside China affected by Covid 19 with over 6000 cases
Why is that BA have no policy in place for rebooking for people travelling immediately and in a 4 week period as an example , it seems very bizarre
Due to the situation I’m reluctant to travel there.
Any advise would be appreciated
my travel agent say if I wish to canx I will be refunded government taxes only however I would have to pay the agency a canx charge of £79.00 per person which pretty much wipes out the tax refund
Its about then when this virus could/should hit a Million infections worldwide, flights will continue be cut back as demand falls off a cliff.
Mar 8, 2020, 10:08 am
#231
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,919
the UK FCO advice is
"The FCO now advise against all travel to the city of Gyeongsan. Travel advice for the city of Cheongdo has also been changed from ‘all but essential travel’ to ‘all travel’. The Health and Summary pages have updated information about measures taken by the Government of South Korea"
Since Soeul is not in the affected area BA will continue to fly.
If you are visiting the affected areas you may be able to discuss with your insurer.
The end of April is a while away yet and the situation is dynamic. You may find the policy will change if the virus gets worse in South Korea and the FCO advice says not to travel to Soeul
"The FCO now advise against all travel to the city of Gyeongsan. Travel advice for the city of Cheongdo has also been changed from ‘all but essential travel’ to ‘all travel’. The Health and Summary pages have updated information about measures taken by the Government of South Korea"
Since Soeul is not in the affected area BA will continue to fly.
If you are visiting the affected areas you may be able to discuss with your insurer.
The end of April is a while away yet and the situation is dynamic. You may find the policy will change if the virus gets worse in South Korea and the FCO advice says not to travel to Soeul
Mar 8, 2020, 10:34 am
#232
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 14
Hi I’m flying to ICN at the end of April visiting busan about and seoul
I’ve booked a non refundable ticket through an online company
South Korea is the second biggest destination outside China affected by Covid 19 with over 6000 cases
Why is that BA have no policy in place for rebooking for people travelling immediately and in a 4 week period as an example , it seems very bizarre
Due to the situation I’m reluctant to travel there.
Any advise would be appreciated
my travel agent say if I wish to canx I will be refunded government taxes only however I would have to pay the agency a canx charge of £79.00 per person which pretty much wipes out the tax refund
I’ve booked a non refundable ticket through an online company
South Korea is the second biggest destination outside China affected by Covid 19 with over 6000 cases
Why is that BA have no policy in place for rebooking for people travelling immediately and in a 4 week period as an example , it seems very bizarre
Due to the situation I’m reluctant to travel there.
Any advise would be appreciated
my travel agent say if I wish to canx I will be refunded government taxes only however I would have to pay the agency a canx charge of £79.00 per person which pretty much wipes out the tax refund
Mar 8, 2020, 10:40 am
#233
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 14
Unfortunately, BA doesn't have any kind of policy about that. I just had a chat with them last evening, but you can still try to talk to them. And please, let us know if they are more flexible regarding your case ;-)
Mar 8, 2020, 11:37 am
#234
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 10
Hey thanks for all your replies , called BA they wouldn’t discuss my booking as booked through a travel agent , have tried the travel agency too , they won’t help , they say cancellation as per ticket conditions (which is non refundable) , plus have to pay them a cancellation charge .
Mar 8, 2020, 12:25 pm
#235
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1,736
Has anyone had any luck on getting travel insurance to pay for the costs of the cancelled rugby in Rome? Flying with BA (obviously). We were still going to go to Rome next weekend but now the Vatican museums are also closed. It is an avios flight but the hotel was pre-paid. How late can I cancel the avios flight?
Mar 8, 2020, 12:50 pm
#236
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,911
Has anyone had any luck on getting travel insurance to pay for the costs of the cancelled rugby in Rome? Flying with BA (obviously). We were still going to go to Rome next weekend but now the Vatican museums are also closed. It is an avios flight but the hotel was pre-paid. How late can I cancel the avios flight?
Avios flights can be cancelled upto 24 hrs prior to departure for a refund of avios.
Regards
TBS
Mar 8, 2020, 1:14 pm
#237
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
The first line is the important line. The end of April is seven weeks away and if this thing doubles every two weeks as some models alude to then I can see many changes between now and then relating to where BA and other carriers fly to (by choice or not).
Its about then when this virus could/should hit a Million infections worldwide, flights will continue be cut back as demand falls off a cliff.
Its about then when this virus could/should hit a Million infections worldwide, flights will continue be cut back as demand falls off a cliff.
you seem to forget winter is almost over so the spread will start to fall, cases will go up for now before plateauing and then falling.
i would just go as normal and follow FCO advice. It’s funny how media says north Italy is locked down, but the airports are still working normally, doesn’t sound like a lockdown to me!
Mar 8, 2020, 1:19 pm
#238
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: 63,804
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have now advised against all but essential travel to Lombardy and the related areas in Emilia Romagna, Marche, Piemonte and Veneto (Venice).
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
This will almost certainly lead to a full cancellation of services and will be helpful for those with travel insurance. Indeed travel insurance will typically not be valid for those who continue to travel the areas
Edited 9/3/2020 - FCO has now extended this to all of Italy, not just the north.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
This will almost certainly lead to a full cancellation of services and will be helpful for those with travel insurance. Indeed travel insurance will typically not be valid for those who continue to travel the areas
Edited 9/3/2020 - FCO has now extended this to all of Italy, not just the north.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Mar 9, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Mar 8, 2020, 1:26 pm
#239
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have now advised against all but essential travel to Lombardy and the related areas in Emilia Romagna, Marche, Piemonte and Veneto (Venice).
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
This will almost certainly lead to a full cancellation of services and will be helpful for those with travel insurance. Indeed travel insurance will typically not be valid for those who continue to travel the areas
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
This will almost certainly lead to a full cancellation of services and will be helpful for those with travel insurance. Indeed travel insurance will typically not be valid for those who continue to travel the areas
Mar 8, 2020, 1:37 pm
#240
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: FB, GGL, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 85
Flight booked to LAX on the 1st March for mid April, and Friday they cancelled the conference I was going to. I guess a pleading call to the GGL team might have an effect or just hope the window opens a bit - more than happy to shift the flight dates later in the year.