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 22, 2020, 11:42 am
#481
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: 63,803
France has confirmed that her frontiers will re-open from midnight tonight. However arrivals will need a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours' vintage.
I'm trying to find out what sort test is allowed, whether it has to be PCR, but I suspect it will be so, since that is the main test used in France too.
The BBC is reporting that those arriving need a legitimate reason for travel, again I'll try to find out more about this. This is the quoted Twitter from M. Djebbari.
I'm trying to find out what sort test is allowed, whether it has to be PCR, but I suspect it will be so, since that is the main test used in France too.
The BBC is reporting that those arriving need a legitimate reason for travel, again I'll try to find out more about this. This is the quoted Twitter from M. Djebbari.
Jean-Baptiste Djebbari @djebbari_JB
·
Les avions, les bateaux et les Eurostar reprendront leur service dès demain matin. Les ressortissants français, les résidents en France et ceux qui ont un motif légitime devront être munis d’un test négatif.
Thank you @Grantshapps
for the amazing work we have done the last 48h!
·
Les avions, les bateaux et les Eurostar reprendront leur service dès demain matin. Les ressortissants français, les résidents en France et ceux qui ont un motif légitime devront être munis d’un test négatif.
Thank you @Grantshapps
for the amazing work we have done the last 48h!
Dec 22, 2020, 11:49 am
#482
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,242
According to this Seychelles will be closed from the 28th December.
Seychelles takes measures to address threat of new variant of COVID-19 - Ministry of Health - Seychelles
“With effect from Monday 28th December, the United Kingdom will no longer feature on the list of countries from which visitors may travel to Seychelles. Seychellois, permanent residents and approved GOP holders may continue to travel from the United Kingdom to Seychelles under existing conditions.
These measures will be in effect until the end of January 2021, and will be subject to reviews before that date.”
Seychelles takes measures to address threat of new variant of COVID-19 - Ministry of Health - Seychelles
“With effect from Monday 28th December, the United Kingdom will no longer feature on the list of countries from which visitors may travel to Seychelles. Seychellois, permanent residents and approved GOP holders may continue to travel from the United Kingdom to Seychelles under existing conditions.
These measures will be in effect until the end of January 2021, and will be subject to reviews before that date.”
Dec 22, 2020, 11:58 am
#483
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
It is being reported that only Japanese nationals will be allowed to enter Japan from the UK as of 24 December.
I am unsure how BA flights to HND will be impacted by it as there are currently no restrictions on flights themselves.
I am unsure how BA flights to HND will be impacted by it as there are currently no restrictions on flights themselves.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:03 pm
#484
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR; TK Elite; ITA Executive; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,551
Guys weird one - BA676 to IST tomorrow 9:25am still shows as operating.
BA cancelled yesterdays and todays one with 24 hours of notice due to Turkey closing borders.
Any hints? Just want to avoid a 5am wake up call to get to the airport and find the flight has been cancelled indeed.
BA cancelled yesterdays and todays one with 24 hours of notice due to Turkey closing borders.
Any hints? Just want to avoid a 5am wake up call to get to the airport and find the flight has been cancelled indeed.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:07 pm
#486
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: 63,803
Further update from France
- Test must be PCR or a "recognised Antigen" test
- Certificate must be under 72 hours old at the point of arrival
- Entry allowed to EEA and EU citizens, plus residents of France
- Transit is allowed by all, with PCR (etc) test, provided the transit is within 24 hours and airside
- UK citizens can enter France if resident or have a legitimate reason to be in France (e.g. professional / work related). Again a negative test result is needed.
Not explicitly stated but implied, holiday trips to France aren't at this point allowed by UK nationals.
- Test must be PCR or a "recognised Antigen" test
- Certificate must be under 72 hours old at the point of arrival
- Entry allowed to EEA and EU citizens, plus residents of France
- Transit is allowed by all, with PCR (etc) test, provided the transit is within 24 hours and airside
- UK citizens can enter France if resident or have a legitimate reason to be in France (e.g. professional / work related). Again a negative test result is needed.
Not explicitly stated but implied, holiday trips to France aren't at this point allowed by UK nationals.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:14 pm
#487
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 491
Further update from France
- Test must be PCR or a "recognised Antigen" test
- Certificate must be under 72 hours old at the point of arrival
- Entry allowed to EEA and EU citizens, plus residents of France
- Transit is allowed by all, with PCR (etc) test, provided the transit is within 24 hours and airside
- UK citizens can enter France if resident or have a legitimate reason to be in France (e.g. professional / work related). Again a negative test result is needed.
Not explicitly stated but implied, holiday trips to France aren't at this point allowed by UK nationals.
- Test must be PCR or a "recognised Antigen" test
- Certificate must be under 72 hours old at the point of arrival
- Entry allowed to EEA and EU citizens, plus residents of France
- Transit is allowed by all, with PCR (etc) test, provided the transit is within 24 hours and airside
- UK citizens can enter France if resident or have a legitimate reason to be in France (e.g. professional / work related). Again a negative test result is needed.
Not explicitly stated but implied, holiday trips to France aren't at this point allowed by UK nationals.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:16 pm
#488
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fuerteventura
Posts: 74
Spain have said border restrictions will remain in place until 6pm on 5th January.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Dec 22, 2020, 12:19 pm
#489
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: London(ish)
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 565
Do we all think this is the start of reversing the bans? Albeit with some slightly extra restrictions.
I'm guessing this is happening because the new version of the virus really isn't as much of a threat as Mr BJ scared us to believe?
I'm guessing this is happening because the new version of the virus really isn't as much of a threat as Mr BJ scared us to believe?
Dec 22, 2020, 12:27 pm
#490
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 218
For a flight that is running the options are
- The Christmas rebooking allowance, which allows you to rebook to (I think) 1 year from issue.
- FTV
- Involuntary refund (which on restricted tickets isn't a lot).
There isn't a special refund allowance for operating flights as far as I know. So if the FTV is the best option then you best do that online. You should get the FTV within 10 minutes or so, just make a note of your PNR before leaving the MMB screen, for the FTV option, which is under the cancellation options at the bottom.
- The Christmas rebooking allowance, which allows you to rebook to (I think) 1 year from issue.
- FTV
- Involuntary refund (which on restricted tickets isn't a lot).
There isn't a special refund allowance for operating flights as far as I know. So if the FTV is the best option then you best do that online. You should get the FTV within 10 minutes or so, just make a note of your PNR before leaving the MMB screen, for the FTV option, which is under the cancellation options at the bottom.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:27 pm
#491
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
What are the legitimate reasons? Does it include house inspections? I had one lined up in Bordeaux on the 28th of December for an investment property. Will we get any clarification on this?
Dec 22, 2020, 12:32 pm
#492
Join Date: May 2012
Location: JFK, MAN
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 425
Looks like Mexico is not going to ban us. Do we think LGW-CUN and LHR-MEX will continue (likely at reduced frequencies)?
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-h...-idUSKBN28W1UN
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-h...-idUSKBN28W1UN
Dec 22, 2020, 12:37 pm
#493
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: 63,803
Usually the first 24 hours of this sort of thing are a bit confusing or even contradictory. But by 27 December I would be fairly confident you will know. If you only have short visit to BOD and have all the right paperwork, I'd imagine the police will let you in.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:41 pm
#494
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Global Again
Programs: OWS IHG Diamond + Accor Plat, Scandic Top Level
Posts: 762
The reaction from overseas may imply that they may believe BJ.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:44 pm
#495
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
Usually the first 24 hours of this sort of thing are a bit confusing or even contradictory. But by 27 December I would be fairly confident you will know. If you only have short visit to BOD and have all the right paperwork, I'd imagine the police will let you in.
I got a PCR test today as I planned to fly in on the 24th of December. I just want to make sure it's ok because technically it's not work, however, as I don't get that much of a chance to go to France mid-week, I thought this period would be ideal - of course I made that decision a month ago.