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 13, 2020, 11:06 am
#721
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Malta
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 671
Within the last few hours Malta has announced that starting today, anyone arriving in Malta will be subject to a 14 day period of quarantine. A fine of £1,000 applies to anyone breaching this.
Mar 13, 2020, 11:08 am
#722
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
I am hearing BA may allow changing of flights (date and destination) without a fee. This is between 14th March and 31st May.
Mar 13, 2020, 11:17 am
#723
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Malta
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 671
BA Holiday
Does anyone know if there are specific policies for BA Holiday bookings? We have a trip planned in a couple of weeks to a South East Asian country which is not currently affected by cancellations, but as the situation is very volatile, it would be good to know what happens to hotels etc booked as part of a BA Holiday (and I thought it might be useful to others too). Many thanks in advance!
Mar 13, 2020, 11:18 am
#724
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 266
I have family currently on a cruise in the Antarctic which docks back in Ushuaia next week on Wed 18 Mar, with a flight that evening Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. As far as we know there's been no coronavirus cases on the ship and assuming it docks with everyone fit and healthy. They left the UK Wed 04 Mar landing into Argentina on Thu 05 Mar, which means that Wed 18 Mar is the 15th day since they've been in Europe or 14th day since landing into Argentina depending on interpretation I guess. Worst case they may have to observe the Wed 18 Mar as the final day of quarantine and won't be able to fly to Buenos Aires until the next day possibly?
They are due to fly back on Thu 19 Mar on BA0244 EZE-LHR (in Premium Economy). I assume this will soon be showing as cancelled due to the flight restrictions on flights to/from Europe after Mon 16 Mar. Looking at rebooking options, there's Iberia EZE-MAD-LHR which I assume will also be cancelled, and LATAM EZE-GRU picking up the BA GRU-LHR or LATAM EZE-GIG and BA GIG-LHR. I can't see any restrictions to/from Brazil as yet so hopefully this operates. I believe AA are stopping flights to Argentina so a long winded plan C might be EZE-SCL-LHR?
Some questions in addition to anything I've got wrong/missed above assuming the flight is cancelled...
Thanks in advance!
They are due to fly back on Thu 19 Mar on BA0244 EZE-LHR (in Premium Economy). I assume this will soon be showing as cancelled due to the flight restrictions on flights to/from Europe after Mon 16 Mar. Looking at rebooking options, there's Iberia EZE-MAD-LHR which I assume will also be cancelled, and LATAM EZE-GRU picking up the BA GRU-LHR or LATAM EZE-GIG and BA GIG-LHR. I can't see any restrictions to/from Brazil as yet so hopefully this operates. I believe AA are stopping flights to Argentina so a long winded plan C might be EZE-SCL-LHR?
Some questions in addition to anything I've got wrong/missed above assuming the flight is cancelled...
- I assume BA are on the hook for rebooking/rerouting and getting them home, and accommodation/subsistence until then?
- If my parents are stuck in 1 day of quarantine and can't be back in Buenos Aires in time, the rebooking/rerouting should allow for some flexibility to move the departure date back by 1 day?
- If there are no oneworld options available at all will BA have to rebook on another airline?
- If they are forced to accept a downgrade to economy does EU261 downgrade compensation apply?
Thanks in advance!
Mar 13, 2020, 11:19 am
#725
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSE
Programs: BA Silver, TK Elite, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 466
I'm going to have to cancel my flight tomorrow from LHR-GIG / LIM-LGW. All I will get back is a few hundred in APD/taxes unfortunately. Is there any difference in cancelling the ticket right now (if I can even get through to them), or simply no-showing the flight? Would I be able to get the taxes/APD back in either case?
Mar 13, 2020, 11:36 am
#726
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: 63,818
I'm going to have to cancel my flight tomorrow from LHR-GIG / LIM-LGW. All I will get back is a few hundred in APD/taxes unfortunately. Is there any difference in cancelling the ticket right now (if I can even get through to them), or simply no-showing the flight? Would I be able to get the taxes/APD back in either case?
Mar 13, 2020, 11:39 am
#727
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: 63,818
There are in fact a huge heap of hypotheticals in there, not least the scenario that they travel back as planned. I imagine the cruise company will liaise about the options and may choose another port anyway. I think you need to get a bit nearer disembarkation before we can untangle that one!
Mar 13, 2020, 11:42 am
#728
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: 63,818
Yes, except that the redeposit fee is a maximum of USD55 per person, if you paid less cash they don't ask for extra. If the flight is cancelled you can have a full refund.
Mar 13, 2020, 11:44 am
#729
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: 63,818
There is not a Guideline for Lebanon service which are cancelled. Refund or rebooking on to Turkish via Istanbul or Vueling from BCN. The first option would perhaps be the better of the two......
Mar 13, 2020, 11:50 am
#730
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Brisbane
Programs: BAEC Blue/Bronze, Krisflyer, Qantas
Posts: 419
Is it the normal BA phone numbers to call up to rebook / cancel? And same for BA Holidays?
There is an 0800 727 800 on the BA Covid-19 page, not sure if this number is handling BA Holidays as well as flights?
There is an 0800 727 800 on the BA Covid-19 page, not sure if this number is handling BA Holidays as well as flights?
Mar 13, 2020, 12:05 pm
#731
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 343
no chance of that then - just got an email cancelling my booking ☹️
Mar 13, 2020, 12:09 pm
#732
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
UPDATE: You’re travelling with us between 14 March to 31 May
You can cancel your booking and receive a voucher for the same value. Vouchers are valid for 12 months and can be used to any destination.
Your voucher can be used as part payment towards a future booking to any destination. It must be redeemed for travel on flights taken within 12 months of your original date of departure.
For holiday bookings please see the Terms and Conditions below.
Mar 13, 2020, 12:09 pm
#733
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,547
You’re travelling with us between 14 March to 31 May
You can cancel your booking and receive a voucher for the same value. Vouchers are valid for 12 months and can be used to any destination.Your voucher can be used as part payment towards a future booking to any destination. It must be redeemed for travel on flights taken within 12 months of your original date of departure.
For holiday bookings please see the Terms and Conditions below.
- Applies to bookings made at any time for travel between 14 March 2020 – 31 May 2020
- Applies for customers booked to travel up to 31 December 2020
- Book direct via our contact centres, ba.com or trade outlets.
- Travel on British Airways marketed fares only
- Excluding franchise airlines (Comair and Sun-Air)
- Bookings made on BA tickets only
- Date changes must be made, or vouchers requested before check-in closes
- Any fare difference between existing booking and new booking must be paid for
- No cancellations or full refunds unless fare rules allow
- Voucher can be used as part payment towards a future booking. It must be redeemed for travel on flights taken within 12 months from the departure date of the first flight in your original booking
- If you have already started your journey the voucher is not applicable.
Mar 13, 2020, 12:10 pm
#734
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold, LH SEN , A3*G & others less exciting that don't fit in my wallet
Posts: 1,657
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...ith-confidence Seems to have just been updated
Anyone due to travel between tomorrow and 31st May can get a refund ( in a voucher ) it seems regardless of when you booked to travel
Anyone due to travel between tomorrow and 31st May can get a refund ( in a voucher ) it seems regardless of when you booked to travel
Mar 13, 2020, 12:13 pm
#735
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 29
Deleted - repetition
Last edited by chedington29; Mar 13, 2020 at 12:13 pm Reason: Deleted as repetition