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 12, 2020, 6:50 am
#556
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: NQY
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 505
Hiya,
I have a family holiday flight on the 29th to Calgary with BA, booked direct in Decemeber. My partner has asthma and as a result would prefer not to increase her risk. Aware that this is still 'disinclination to travel' rather than anything more. Have any useful options become available to us yet?
LF
I have a family holiday flight on the 29th to Calgary with BA, booked direct in Decemeber. My partner has asthma and as a result would prefer not to increase her risk. Aware that this is still 'disinclination to travel' rather than anything more. Have any useful options become available to us yet?
LF
Mar 12, 2020, 7:10 am
#557
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, Marriott LTP
Posts: 493
Why is BA as well as other airlines only offering waivers on flights booked during March? Are they really only concerned with trying to entice a few new bookings?
What about the rest of us here that booked many months ago, have travel planned in the next 2-3 wks and are not given the opportunity (thus far) to cancel or change our bookings fee free? Now with the US travel ban it is so confusing, Scheduled for BOS-LHRBUD, VIE-LHR-BOS beg of April. We're technically flying US to UK which is not affected by the new travel ban. But assuming BA keeps its LHR-BUD and VIE-LHR flights, we'd be traveling to 'banned' countries.
What the heck are supposed to do? If we go, do we get quarantined after we arrive back into BOS? This is out of control.
Stop the ride, I want to get off...
What about the rest of us here that booked many months ago, have travel planned in the next 2-3 wks and are not given the opportunity (thus far) to cancel or change our bookings fee free? Now with the US travel ban it is so confusing, Scheduled for BOS-LHRBUD, VIE-LHR-BOS beg of April. We're technically flying US to UK which is not affected by the new travel ban. But assuming BA keeps its LHR-BUD and VIE-LHR flights, we'd be traveling to 'banned' countries.
What the heck are supposed to do? If we go, do we get quarantined after we arrive back into BOS? This is out of control.
Stop the ride, I want to get off...
Mar 12, 2020, 7:16 am
#558
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL & CCR, GFL
Posts: 495
Why is BA as well as other airlines only offering waivers on flights booked during March? Are they really only concerned with trying to entice a few new bookings?
What about the rest of us here that booked many months ago, have travel planned in the next 2-3 wks and are not given the opportunity (thus far) to cancel or change our bookings fee free? Now with the US travel ban it is so confusing, Scheduled for BOS-LHRBUD, VIE-LHR-BOS beg of April. We're technically flying US to UK which is not affected by the new travel ban. But assuming BA keeps its LHR-BUD and VIE-LHR flights, we'd be traveling to 'banned' countries.
What the heck are supposed to do? If we go, do we get quarantined after we arrive back into BOS? This is out of control.
Stop the ride, I want to get off...
What about the rest of us here that booked many months ago, have travel planned in the next 2-3 wks and are not given the opportunity (thus far) to cancel or change our bookings fee free? Now with the US travel ban it is so confusing, Scheduled for BOS-LHRBUD, VIE-LHR-BOS beg of April. We're technically flying US to UK which is not affected by the new travel ban. But assuming BA keeps its LHR-BUD and VIE-LHR flights, we'd be traveling to 'banned' countries.
What the heck are supposed to do? If we go, do we get quarantined after we arrive back into BOS? This is out of control.
Stop the ride, I want to get off...
Mar 12, 2020, 7:18 am
#559
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, Marriott LTP
Posts: 493
Mar 12, 2020, 7:24 am
#560
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL & CCR, GFL
Posts: 495
Mar 12, 2020, 7:30 am
#561
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, Marriott LTP
Posts: 493
I think that's true but the head of homeland security's statement says-
"In the next 48 hours, in the interest of public health, I intend to issue a supplemental Notice of Arrivals Restriction requiring U.S. passengers that have been in the Schengen Area to travel through select airports where the U.S. Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures.”
I guess we hurry up and wait a couple more days.
If we decide to cancel ourselves, that will be interesting given the other threads here stating how hard it is to get hold of BA..
Thanks for listening.
"In the next 48 hours, in the interest of public health, I intend to issue a supplemental Notice of Arrivals Restriction requiring U.S. passengers that have been in the Schengen Area to travel through select airports where the U.S. Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures.”
I guess we hurry up and wait a couple more days.
If we decide to cancel ourselves, that will be interesting given the other threads here stating how hard it is to get hold of BA..
Thanks for listening.
Mar 12, 2020, 7:30 am
#562
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: 64,155
I have an Israel problem. I helped 3 friends of mine go on the trip of a lifetime there, and they are there right now. On 18 March they were due to fly TLV/LHR/DFW on the return journey, but have woken up to TLV/LHR being cancelled. The email offers no alternatives. MMB has two choices - to request a cancellation/refund or to rebook. Choosing the latter diverts to the former. Do I take it all BA/IB flights out of TLV are now cancelled? Surely, even in this mad era, BA has a duty of care. If they can get on a DL or UA flight to the USA, presumably BA has to reimburse them? But who will book it? I'd appreciate any advice!
Mar 12, 2020, 7:31 am
#563
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 10
ICN Flights
Can anyone advise why BA have no policy in place for travelling to ICN when QR/AY/SQ/CX/KE/OZ/UA /LH are all offering refund / rebooking
only policy for BA travelling to Seoul is normal customer guidelines if your flight is cancelled
why have they not introduced anything
only policy for BA travelling to Seoul is normal customer guidelines if your flight is cancelled
why have they not introduced anything
Mar 12, 2020, 7:33 am
#564
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 752
BEY flight suspension
Lebanon is suspending all arrivals from the UK among other countries, yet my flight to BEY next week (booked long before March 3) still hasn’t been canceled. I suppose there’s nothing I can do but wait to see if it’s canceled?
Mar 12, 2020, 7:35 am
#565
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: 64,155
Mar 12, 2020, 7:38 am
#566
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSE
Programs: BA Silver, TK Elite, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 466
Just as I was about to head off on a trip throughout South America, there's this from Argentina.
Mar 12, 2020, 7:44 am
#567
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: 64,155
Italy Update 10: Rebooking allowed with Alitalia for those trying to get home, and removing the passenger's liability for "consequential costs" (which was legally iffy in my view anyway).
Mar 12, 2020, 7:49 am
#568
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bombay
Programs: EC Blue, EB Silver, FB Gold
Posts: 551
It has just been announced that until 26 March (and this might be extended), anyone arriving in Norway from outside the Nordic countries will be quarantined for 14 days. This will affect the ex-OSL crowd, so be aware.
Mar 12, 2020, 7:49 am
#569
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,878
Mar 12, 2020, 8:01 am
#570
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 629
Not in work today but new policy for travel to or from where can rebook for dates up to 1st August
call centres according to a colleague I spoke to this morning taking an unprecedented level of calls if your travel isn't in the next 7 days then leave calling for today
call centres according to a colleague I spoke to this morning taking an unprecedented level of calls if your travel isn't in the next 7 days then leave calling for today