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, 12:48 pm
#496
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Global Again
Programs: OWS IHG Diamond + Accor Plat, Scandic Top Level
Posts: 762
I have emails from agents etc, and my business partner in France too.
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.
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.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:56 pm
#497
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
Dec 22, 2020, 1:05 pm
#498
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
Thanks all. If anyone does get any more clarity or if anyone here is going to France tomorrow any feedback would be great.
Dec 22, 2020, 1:32 pm
#499
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
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, 2:30 pm
#500
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,061
It’s the latter, a deliberate policy - as noted above customers are being allowed flexible rebooking into any seat with no fare difference or change fee, to allow those who want to travel do so and encourage those who don’t to free up space.
Dec 22, 2020, 3:12 pm
#501
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: London(ish)
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 565
Unfortunately BA said I needed reward availability to move my 241 booking, which pretty much means I have to travel on 28th now!
Dec 22, 2020, 3:33 pm
#502
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Global Again
Programs: OWS IHG Diamond + Accor Plat, Scandic Top Level
Posts: 762
Dec 22, 2020, 3:54 pm
#503
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: VIE
Programs: SAS EBS / *A Silver, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 3,771
Dec 22, 2020, 4:04 pm
#504
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
Dec 22, 2020, 4:25 pm
#505
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
To this day I'm astounded that we don't have systematic testing at airports which would help out the aviation industry greatly. I understand that the 15-min antigen tests are not as accurate as PCR tests, however, if every country mandated testing for all passengers before their flight and on the other end as well, this would greatly reduce the risk of Covid-19 spread from travel, give people more confidence and allow aviation to get back on its feet.
This isn't absolutely foolproof, but nothing is. Having a system like this, where passengers need two negative tests would really change the industry. I know it isn't simple - but authorities aren't even looking into it.
This isn't absolutely foolproof, but nothing is. Having a system like this, where passengers need two negative tests would really change the industry. I know it isn't simple - but authorities aren't even looking into it.
Dec 22, 2020, 5:44 pm
#506
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR; TK Elite; ITA Executive; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,551
Slightly off topic but might be helpful.
Got a PCR test done at the COLLINSON testing facility at LHR T5 (Arrivals) on Monday 2pm (99£), got a (negative) result today at 5pm.
27 hours turnaround despite the advertised 48 hours and the “advised” 36. Not bad at all.
They are very organized, plenty of slots available for bookings and no queue whatsoever once there. Parked at short stay and was back at my car after 15 minutes.
Got a PCR test done at the COLLINSON testing facility at LHR T5 (Arrivals) on Monday 2pm (99£), got a (negative) result today at 5pm.
27 hours turnaround despite the advertised 48 hours and the “advised” 36. Not bad at all.
They are very organized, plenty of slots available for bookings and no queue whatsoever once there. Parked at short stay and was back at my car after 15 minutes.
Dec 22, 2020, 6:03 pm
#507
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 1
Thanks for this - very useful to know. Has anyone used the Express Test service at Heathrow (drive through)? It's only £80 if you are a departing pax, but I don't see that they guarantee a certain timeframe (unfortunately)
Dec 22, 2020, 7:52 pm
#508
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, QR Gold, CX Silver, ITA Executive, TK Elite, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 62
I am not sure whether I can share the experience regarding drive through testing in Heathrow, But I did use the Collinson testing for departure at T2 for my flight to Hong Kong two weeks ago and my appointment is at 7:15 am, got negative results back at 8:30 am, their advertised time frame is 60-80mins after testing. Their centers also open very early, with 7:15 being the first slot of the day, their doors are basically open at 7.
Dec 22, 2020, 8:32 pm
#509
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,279
The Philippines have also banned flights n travellers from U.K. from 24/dec till 31 dec
Dec 22, 2020, 11:26 pm
#510
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
List of antigen tests approved by the French authorities: https://uk.ambafrance.org/Antigen-te...France-from-UK
sadly the table gets all muddled up if I copy & paste it here, but it's available at the website above. below some addifional info on who can enter.
Not sure if the admissable tests include the 'fast' test such as LAMP (as proposed by Collinson).
sadly the table gets all muddled up if I copy & paste it here, but it's available at the website above. below some addifional info on who can enter.
Only the following categories of people will be authorized to travel in France or enter from the UK:
• French people and nationals of the European area;
• British or third-country nationals who either normally live in France, the European Union or the European area, or must make essential journeys as listed in the annex.
Travel by the categories of people concerned will automatically be subject to the requirement to have, prior to departure, the result of a negative test taken less than 72 hours earlier. Children aged 11 and over must take the test.
• French people and nationals of the European area;
• British or third-country nationals who either normally live in France, the European Union or the European area, or must make essential journeys as listed in the annex.
Travel by the categories of people concerned will automatically be subject to the requirement to have, prior to departure, the result of a negative test taken less than 72 hours earlier. Children aged 11 and over must take the test.