Kgmm77

I feel for those impacted, I’ve finally given up on a trip pushed back twice already from May 2020 and gone down the refund route. It’s the hope that kills you!

simonsmith

BA Covid-19 news, views, speculations, general questions, rants & more

Perhaps the above could be used if there is nothing South Africa specific in a post ?

Prospero

Several recent posts have been carved out of this thread and moved to the Coronavirus and Travel forum, as this development will inevitably gain traction during the days, weeks, months ahead. This will return the focus of this thread to BA’s service to/from South Africa.

U.K. Government response to the Omicron variant

Prospero
Moderator: BA forum

andrewr1985

Hoping this is on topic still. It looks like both BA42 and 56 are en-route to LHR.

Would these be coming back as empty aircraft and this is just to get crew and aircraft back to LHR for other services?

Globaliser

EF flight status shows that both were "cancelled", so it looks extremely likely that they came back empty, and for this reason. Certainly the aircraft have to be retrieved, as BA couldn't just leave them sitting there downroute for an indefinite period. What only insiders will know is whether the crew that operated out on 24 November will also have come home early on board these aircraft (I think that JNB and CPT are now both 2-night stops for cabin crew).

eugegall

So if BA are sending planes back empty. Are there no rescue flights to get people back before deadline tomorrow?

Globaliser

The deadline has been and gone, almost as soon as it was announced. It was 1200Z on Friday 26 November.

eugegall

Sure but it was only self isolation until 4am tomorrow.

Surely they could have got many people home to beat the hotel quarantine deadline.

Instead I'm hearing they are sending planes back empty. What happens to those out there wanting to get home?

BOH

Anyone have any idea when the returning-to-uk day 2 PCR tests / self-isolation until negative actually kick in? All the BBC news items imply it is at some future date not yet decided, the word "immediately" is not mentioned.

I return to the UK from AMS in 2 days time and already have my rapid Antigen test booked (as was required earlier today when I booked the test). Is immediate return to PCR now required on day 2?

Globaliser

You really haven't thought through the detail of this, have you?

KARFA

There is currently a ban on inbound passenger flights from South Africa which started on 1200 Friday until 0400 on Monday. Even if airlines wanted to repatriate people, they can’t.

eugegall

I appreciate you're experienced and very respected on this forum.

Instead of being cryptic, why don't you throw me a bone and hold a conversation to questions being posted instead of what is coming across as very patronising.

eugegall

Ah that makes perfect sense.

Perfectly explained in a single sentence. Now I understand so thank you.

Missingfirst

Hi, long time lurker here but might be able to contribute for a change.
We managed to fly out to cpt on 19th November after many cancellations. We didn't think we were taking any risks and would be another simple trip to sa with BA. After 20 months without flying we were apprehensive but it was great getting out here, very smooth, great crew, good food, enjoyed the club suite for the first time as no more First! We always manage to do it on Avios, not easy to SA.
First week was great until the ANNOUNCEMENT. Thought we were clever to avoid quarantine hotel, managed to get Qatar flights to Dublin on 1st Dec, 10 days there in quarantine freedom then back to lhr. Then ireland went to red. Plan B, change qatar flights via doha to lhr with 10 day stopover. Then Qatar stopped flights. So back to BA. Flight was originally BA42 on 1st Dec, this was cancelled but now rescheduled as a day flight. PCR test tomorrow, landing back lhr 20.45 on 1st December. Then quarantine hotel, think we have struck gold with that, radisson blu at Heathrow. Not a hotel we would choose to spend £3800 to stay at but it is what it is. So BA are getting us home quickly. Just trying to enjoy the last few days and working out how many bottles of SA wine we can get back to keep us going through quarantine. For those stuck in SA hopefully you get home soon as well, BA seem to be doing what they can.

bd95

Indeed. No direct flights allowed, though the home / hotel quarantine applies to those arriving indirectly via other hubs.