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 9, 2020, 5:09 am
#256
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Somerset
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci des Transports de Navette
Posts: 270
Mar 9, 2020, 6:06 am
#258
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Somerset
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci des Transports de Navette
Posts: 270
Mar 9, 2020, 6:08 am
#259
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: CX DM, BA Gold
Posts: 135
For the current Flexi booking policy, will it apply to the same day change at the airport? Say I just turn up at the counter and move to an earlier/later flight, providing there's availability and/or pay the fare difference?
Mar 9, 2020, 7:57 am
#260
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: 63,800
For SDC (or FCOD to use the BA abbreviation), this isn't affected by the Buy with Confidence policy. So if your ticket is eligible for SDC / FCOD then that still continues and any change is free of charge. If you bought a ticket during the Buy with Confidence timeframe, AND you want to change to another flight AND it doesn't have SDC/FCOD then you will need to be reticketed and indeed pay just the the fare difference. If there are flight disruptions for other reasons then you may be able to switch flights anyway but that can't be taken for granted.
Mar 9, 2020, 11:06 am
#261
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
So I’m guessing the ‘Big’ movement today was just cancelling more of the winter schedule up to 28th March.
It does see frequencies significantly drop on certain routes but BA know how many they can get away with under the 80/20 rule.
It does see frequencies significantly drop on certain routes but BA know how many they can get away with under the 80/20 rule.
Mar 9, 2020, 11:26 am
#262
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,464
I have an Avios booking on JAL for LHR-HND next week. JAL have issued a waiver enabling cancellations of international flights to/from Japan until the beginning of April.
I realise this only applies to tickets issued by JAL, but would this have any bearing in getting cancellation fees waived if applying for a cancellation from BA?
Thanks.
I realise this only applies to tickets issued by JAL, but would this have any bearing in getting cancellation fees waived if applying for a cancellation from BA?
Thanks.
Mar 9, 2020, 11:26 am
#263
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 176
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.
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 what the agent did suggest was changing the booking to somewhere much nearer to home for a much shorter period so that I would get a refund of a lot of the (considerable!) price with only the cost of the weekend away and the change fee retained. That sounded like a very pragmatic option so thought I would share that for others in my situation.
Mar 9, 2020, 12:12 pm
#264
Join Date: May 2016
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 143
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
In Rome at the moment so hopefully this wont end up applying to me. But in that scenario, is EC261 applicable in your opinion?
As it's all but essential, rather than all, technically they dont have to have cancelled flights. Though as you say, travel insurance will kick in for many people.
Mar 9, 2020, 12:24 pm
#265
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: 63,800
In Rome at the moment so hopefully this wont end up applying to me. But in that scenario, is EC261 applicable in your opinion?
As it's all but essential, rather than all, technically they dont have to have cancelled flights. Though as you say, travel insurance will kick in for many people.
As it's all but essential, rather than all, technically they dont have to have cancelled flights. Though as you say, travel insurance will kick in for many people.
Mar 9, 2020, 12:41 pm
#266
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Toronto
Programs: BA Exec Club - Demoted to Bronze and re-promoted to Silver alongside AC Elite 50K (gold) in 2022
Posts: 393
apologies for this specific question but I'm in a real quandary!!
My partner and I are due to fly from Toronto to Berlin via LHR next week - on the 18th with an Avios and companion voucher flying Biz. Both flights are still running (at the moment)
We return from Vienna on the 30th to Toronto via Heathrow flying First from London. Our Vienna to London flight has just been cancelled and we've been put on an 0700 departure, leaving us 8 hours at Heathrow (not a hardship in the Concorde Lounge I accept!!)
So honing in on the specific questions (but I think the answers are more generic and could help others) :
1. Given we now have an 8 hour connection at Heathrow, would BA (be open or minded to if space permitted) to move us onto the earier departure from Heathrow to avoid the long connection or do we have to stick with the original flight to Toronto.
2. This vacation has three parts - Berlin, skiing near Salzberg and then a weekend in Vienna. If we decide to travel and get to Berlin AND then either Berlin or Austria become "no fly" destinations, would BA allow us to rebook to get out Europe PDQ and come home to Toronto. (made worse by me being a UK citizen and my partner has Irish citizenship so we could be following the advice of Canada, Ireland, the UK, Germany or Austrian governments!)
I guess my fear is either :
1. Can we get home early with BA if we need to
2. If we get stranded in Europe for 14 days self quarantine, miss our flights - would BA book us on a later flight. Last year when my mother was about to pass away, I was Silver and BA were brilliant, changing my flight three times at no cost. I'm now down to bronze, and so any flexibility for a silver (may not be shown)
Any general guidance on cancelling or modifying an Avios booking on a 2-4-1 voucher flying Biz / First would be appreciated. I'd still like to have my holiday and celebrate my birthday and actually support hotels, BA and restaurants and shops at a time when they need the business but not at the risk of being stuck 4000 miles from home!
Thanks
My partner and I are due to fly from Toronto to Berlin via LHR next week - on the 18th with an Avios and companion voucher flying Biz. Both flights are still running (at the moment)
We return from Vienna on the 30th to Toronto via Heathrow flying First from London. Our Vienna to London flight has just been cancelled and we've been put on an 0700 departure, leaving us 8 hours at Heathrow (not a hardship in the Concorde Lounge I accept!!)
So honing in on the specific questions (but I think the answers are more generic and could help others) :
1. Given we now have an 8 hour connection at Heathrow, would BA (be open or minded to if space permitted) to move us onto the earier departure from Heathrow to avoid the long connection or do we have to stick with the original flight to Toronto.
2. This vacation has three parts - Berlin, skiing near Salzberg and then a weekend in Vienna. If we decide to travel and get to Berlin AND then either Berlin or Austria become "no fly" destinations, would BA allow us to rebook to get out Europe PDQ and come home to Toronto. (made worse by me being a UK citizen and my partner has Irish citizenship so we could be following the advice of Canada, Ireland, the UK, Germany or Austrian governments!)
I guess my fear is either :
1. Can we get home early with BA if we need to
2. If we get stranded in Europe for 14 days self quarantine, miss our flights - would BA book us on a later flight. Last year when my mother was about to pass away, I was Silver and BA were brilliant, changing my flight three times at no cost. I'm now down to bronze, and so any flexibility for a silver (may not be shown)
Any general guidance on cancelling or modifying an Avios booking on a 2-4-1 voucher flying Biz / First would be appreciated. I'd still like to have my holiday and celebrate my birthday and actually support hotels, BA and restaurants and shops at a time when they need the business but not at the risk of being stuck 4000 miles from home!
Thanks
Mar 9, 2020, 12:41 pm
#267
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 3,062
New Israel restrictions
We are currently in Israel on an Avios RT award ticket from Baltimore/BWI. Israel just imposed a 14-day quarantine on everyone arriving from anywhere in the world. We are scheduled to return via LHR on 3/21. Can't imagine BA or any other airline will keep flying here. We bought travel insurance, but I haven't yet read details on whether or not they'd pay for accommodations past 3/21 until we get a flight out. Also unsure if BA is responsible for getting us home. Thoughts?
Mar 9, 2020, 12:44 pm
#268
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 23
We are currently in Israel on an Avios RT award ticket from Baltimore/BWI. Israel just imposed a 14-day quarantine on everyone arriving from anywhere in the world. We are scheduled to return via LHR on 3/21. Can't imagine BA or any other airline will keep flying here. We bought travel insurance, but I haven't yet read details on whether or not they'd pay for accommodations past 3/21 until we get a flight out. Also unsure if BA is responsible for getting us home. Thoughts?
has this been officially announced now?
Mar 9, 2020, 12:55 pm
#269
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: LAX/MXP
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 564
I'm booked LAX-LHR-LIN on April 14th.
Just got an email where my LHR-LIN leg got cancelled and I'm automatically rebooked into an earlier flight...which leaves 30 minutes BEFORE my scheduled arrival from LAX. I'm confused!
In The MMB flights also look out of order, now showing LHR-LIN on the 15th BEFORE my LAX-LHR leaving on the 14th.
again, I'm really confused!
Just got an email where my LHR-LIN leg got cancelled and I'm automatically rebooked into an earlier flight...which leaves 30 minutes BEFORE my scheduled arrival from LAX. I'm confused!
In The MMB flights also look out of order, now showing LHR-LIN on the 15th BEFORE my LAX-LHR leaving on the 14th.
again, I'm really confused!