Dec 19, 2020, 10:20 am
Last edit by: realgaga
Latest guidance
From Heathrow Airport Limited, 22:14 GMT 19 Dec
Following UK Govt. advice, if you are in Tier 4, you should not be travelling unless it is legally permitted. If you’re in Tiers 1-3, you can still fly from Heathrow but should carefully consider whether you need to.
In light of the new tier restrictions, passengers should NOT plan unnecessary time at the airport. Please allow 2 hours ahead of departure for short haul flights and 3 hours for long haul flights.
More information can be found here
List of countries and territories currently restricting travel from the UK, from CWS's post 294, last updated at 18:30 GMT.
- Albania (till January 6th)
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil (post 589)
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- China (Mainland)
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Dominican Republic (406)
- Ecuador
- El Salvador (also South Africa)
- Estonia
- France (48 hours for the moment)
- Finland
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Hong Kong (also South Africa)
- Hungary
- India
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel (also restricting Denmark and South Africa)
- Italy
- Jamaica (2 weeks, see post 397)
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malta (339)
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman (all countries)
- Pakistan
- Panama (also South Africa, post 409)
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania (from this afternoon, this morning's flight has gone ahead).
- Russia (1 week for now)
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles (until end of Jan - ref BA Holidays agent)(461)
- Singapore (from 2359 on Dec 23)
- Slovakia
- Spain (343)
- Sweden (also Denmark) (362)
- Switzerland (also South Africa)
- Tunisia
- Turkey (also Denmark, NL.)
From Heathrow Airport Limited, 22:14 GMT 19 Dec
Following UK Govt. advice, if you are in Tier 4, you should not be travelling unless it is legally permitted. If you’re in Tiers 1-3, you can still fly from Heathrow but should carefully consider whether you need to.
In light of the new tier restrictions, passengers should NOT plan unnecessary time at the airport. Please allow 2 hours ahead of departure for short haul flights and 3 hours for long haul flights.
More information can be found here
List of countries and territories currently restricting travel from the UK, from CWS's post 294, last updated at 18:30 GMT.
- Albania (till January 6th)
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil (post 589)
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- China (Mainland)
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Dominican Republic (406)
- Ecuador
- El Salvador (also South Africa)
- Estonia
- France (48 hours for the moment)
- Finland
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Hong Kong (also South Africa)
- Hungary
- India
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel (also restricting Denmark and South Africa)
- Italy
- Jamaica (2 weeks, see post 397)
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malta (339)
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman (all countries)
- Pakistan
- Panama (also South Africa, post 409)
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania (from this afternoon, this morning's flight has gone ahead).
- Russia (1 week for now)
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles (until end of Jan - ref BA Holidays agent)(461)
- Singapore (from 2359 on Dec 23)
- Slovakia
- Spain (343)
- Sweden (also Denmark) (362)
- Switzerland (also South Africa)
- Tunisia
- Turkey (also Denmark, NL.)
London/SE England in Tier 4 + countries with UK flight ban : impact on BA travel
Dec 20, 2020, 6:36 am
#181
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: ±38,000 feet
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, AF Plat, EK Plat
Posts: 6,428
Dec 20, 2020, 6:38 am
#182
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,977
however you can only leave your home if it is for a reasonable excuse, such as work or getting medical help. Leaving home for The purpose of going on holiday would not be a reasonable excuse.
Dec 20, 2020, 6:42 am
#183
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,830
And to be extra clear, that final sentence applies in law to those currently living in Tier 4, London and parts of South East England. Those who live elsewhere may want to be cautious. exercise prudence, but it's not a legal restriction. For those coming to London/SE from overseas there aren't extra restrictions (beyond PLF and in many cases self isolating) but there is a valid question to ask as to whether such a trip can wait a few months or not. Travel itself may become logistically tricky. We can all push boundaries, the virus will usually do it better.
Dec 20, 2020, 6:57 am
#184
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
My situation is a dual US/UK national with residences in both Tier 4 and USA. Leaving Tier 4 to spend Winter in USA. So if my understanding is correct, if asked on way to Heathrow for address simply present USA passport and indicate travel for legal obligations in USA.
thoughts anyone?
thoughts anyone?
What is the real reason for your trip? Be honest with yourself - look in the mirror and give the reason. If it’s reasonable - ie if you were to ask a ‘reasonably well informed and fair minded person’ perhaps on a bus in the context of the world as it is at the moment is this person’s reason reasonable, what would they say?
Pragmatically, it may be on a fact specific basis that you are moving home to the USA. Have a look at Reg 2 (2) (f) (iv).
I wouldn’t get into passports though as it comes back to factually do you live in Tier 4 and if so do you or don’t you have a reasonable reason for leaving home.
Dec 20, 2020, 7:03 am
#185
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Trinidad & Tobago
Posts: 437
Quedate en casa
Usa tu mascara
Last edited by peter1962; Dec 20, 2020 at 7:08 am Reason: typo correction
Dec 20, 2020, 7:04 am
#186
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 27
True. I was pulled aside by the police flying to Germany in November. Was surprised what information they wanted from me. Was allowed to continue (let's face it, they aren't going to stop people boarding), but was a little spooked by that. If this new virulent strain is taken seriously by the government, I can see them taking this more seriously that the half-baked November lockdown.
Dec 20, 2020, 7:07 am
#187
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Trinidad & Tobago
Posts: 437
I think technically the starting point is that this is probably unlawful, as the issue of where you are living is a matter of fact and really by the sound of it you live in a Tier 4 area. Your immigration status / nationality is not relevant - you are within England and so the law applies to you and it is unlawful for you to leave or be outside of the place where you are living without reasonable excuse.
What is the real reason for your trip? Be honest with yourself - look in the mirror and give the reason. If it’s reasonable - ie if you were to ask a ‘reasonably well informed and fair minded person’ perhaps on a bus in the context of the world as it is at the moment is this person’s reason reasonable, what would they say?
Pragmatically, it may be on a fact specific basis that you are moving home to the USA. Have a look at Reg 2 (2) (f) (iv).
I wouldn’t get into passports though as it comes back to factually do you live in Tier 4 and if so do you or don’t you have a reasonable reason for leaving home.
What is the real reason for your trip? Be honest with yourself - look in the mirror and give the reason. If it’s reasonable - ie if you were to ask a ‘reasonably well informed and fair minded person’ perhaps on a bus in the context of the world as it is at the moment is this person’s reason reasonable, what would they say?
Pragmatically, it may be on a fact specific basis that you are moving home to the USA. Have a look at Reg 2 (2) (f) (iv).
I wouldn’t get into passports though as it comes back to factually do you live in Tier 4 and if so do you or don’t you have a reasonable reason for leaving home.
Anyway, thank you to all that have commented and offerred opinion. I'll pass it on and the person can make up their own mind on this.
May you all have a peaceful Christmas and a Safe and Healthy New Year.
Dec 20, 2020, 7:15 am
#188
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
Which countries have done this?
Dec 20, 2020, 7:24 am
#190
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Gold member Marriott Platinum
Posts: 281
Countries banning us very fast today which is concerning. I would assume we are not the only country with this new variant of COVID-19 probably the only country that has realised it exists.
anyone heard any acknowledgement of its existence from any other country?
anyone heard any acknowledgement of its existence from any other country?
Dec 20, 2020, 7:24 am
#191
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
Ah, I assumed the flights would still go to pick up passengers returning to the UK. A bit of a mess if not.
Dec 20, 2020, 7:31 am
#193
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
To misquote Alex Ferguson - “When Matt Hancock states something as factual, I check under the sauce to make sure”
Dec 20, 2020, 7:43 am
#195
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Vancouver, CA
Programs: AC 35K
Posts: 670
definitely too late. I would guess this is already in circulation in much of the European continent unfortunately, even though it hasn’t been confirmed yet