LHR - SIN/SYD cut for May
#3
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: BER
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,843
#4
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SYD, GOT
Programs: BA GGL; SK EBG; QF LTG; Hilton Diamond, A-Club Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,724
My call with BA a few months back was the route is suspended until end of October which certainly matches the cancellations, and I would not expect this route to be considered until Australia's strict immigration, emmigration and quarantine requirements are loosened.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BA GGL, GfL, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, AllAccor Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 1,042
I really can't see BA flying this route until Australia reopens to the world, and I can't see that happening until November this year at the very earliest.
Slightly off topic but the Aussies will want to vaccinate their entire population, be confident of the vaccines' impairment of onward transmission and be comfortable that there are no variants that can escape the vaccine in a significant way, before they reopen. Even then, expect the requirement for proof of vaccine, a PCR test before boarding and a PCR test on arrival at a very minimum.
Slightly off topic but the Aussies will want to vaccinate their entire population, be confident of the vaccines' impairment of onward transmission and be comfortable that there are no variants that can escape the vaccine in a significant way, before they reopen. Even then, expect the requirement for proof of vaccine, a PCR test before boarding and a PCR test on arrival at a very minimum.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
I really can't see BA flying this route until Australia reopens to the world, and I can't see that happening until November this year at the very earliest.
Slightly off topic but the Aussies will want to vaccinate their entire population, be confident of the vaccines' impairment of onward transmission and be comfortable that there are no variants that can escape the vaccine in a significant way, before they reopen. Even then, expect the requirement for proof of vaccine, a PCR test before boarding and a PCR test on arrival at a very minimum.
Slightly off topic but the Aussies will want to vaccinate their entire population, be confident of the vaccines' impairment of onward transmission and be comfortable that there are no variants that can escape the vaccine in a significant way, before they reopen. Even then, expect the requirement for proof of vaccine, a PCR test before boarding and a PCR test on arrival at a very minimum.
With the caps on international arrivals, it's not viable for airlines to start services. It's why it's all being left largely to Qatar Airways and a few others to service the country at the moment. With 30-50 passengers per flight on existing services, more capacity would just mean less passengers to spread around on more flights. I can see why BA are not planning to go back until the northern winter schedule starts.
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#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BA silver
Posts: 308
QF have just delayed their intercontinental bookings by another three months until October, but without much confidence that the country will accept travellers until 2022. Slightly off topic the QF CEO has also said their 380s will be mothballed until 2024
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,026
off topic
Australia is scheduled to have the vaccinations of all eligible people complete by the end of October. Hence the October date for QF, BA etc. But no one is expecting the border to open then. Maybe an easing of some restrictions very late in the calendar year.
Australian production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination is due for release in March. Link-->https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-...ch-22/13220254
Australian production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination is due for release in March. Link-->https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-...ch-22/13220254
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It makes less than no sense to increase capacity when the number of people who may enter is limited.
I can't imagine that anything before early 2022 is remotely possible. That allows for vaccination targets to be met, for a period of time to elapse to catch up with stragglers and then reopen the border in a manageable way.
I can't imagine that anything before early 2022 is remotely possible. That allows for vaccination targets to be met, for a period of time to elapse to catch up with stragglers and then reopen the border in a manageable way.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Until the reopening scheme becomes known, it seems a waste of time to (as well as an interest free loan to one's air carrier) to go about bookings. No way to predict frequencies, timings and the like.
#12
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Spoke to soon.... Our BA 16 flight just got cancelled for August so am assuming BA15 will do soon. We were luckily traveling on a Sunday so got bumped to BA12 which fits with the 4 day a week schedule.
We are however currently flying on BA15 on Monday outbound so assuming that gets cancelled I really hope they bump us to the Sunday BA11. They must be opening up Avios seats when flights are cancelled as there were no F Avios seats for BA 12 and now we have transferred into F on BA12. Likewise there is no Avios availability for the Sunday in J on BA11.
Downside is I was looking forward to the 787-9 F and J cabins over the 777-300 but lets be honest if we still get to go (and Singapore let us in without quarantine!) it will be a bonus!
EDIT:Just checked and looks like they have cancelled BA11 going forward and are only running BA15 in August.
We are however currently flying on BA15 on Monday outbound so assuming that gets cancelled I really hope they bump us to the Sunday BA11. They must be opening up Avios seats when flights are cancelled as there were no F Avios seats for BA 12 and now we have transferred into F on BA12. Likewise there is no Avios availability for the Sunday in J on BA11.
Downside is I was looking forward to the 787-9 F and J cabins over the 777-300 but lets be honest if we still get to go (and Singapore let us in without quarantine!) it will be a bonus!
EDIT:Just checked and looks like they have cancelled BA11 going forward and are only running BA15 in August.
Last edited by 225SG; Mar 11, 2021 at 9:19 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Who knows but at least it's something to hopefully look forward to.
Have edited above as it obviously should have read "without " quarantine...
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
Ahhh I see ! Yes good to have something to look forward to, I don't think Singapore will be anywhere relaxed until a lot later in the year. Definitely have an August plan B up your sleeve I've got one week with USA, Corfu & Laranca booked !!!