Jan 26, 2020, 5:00 am
Last edit by: Globaliser
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BA have cancelled all flights to PKX (Beijing/Peking) and PVG (Shanghai Pu Dong) "until 19 April 2020".
BA frequency to HKG has been reduced with effect from 13 February 2020 - see below for further details. From HKG, Cathay is running a heavily reduced schedule to mainland destinations until the end of March.
If you are due to fly to PKX, PVG and your flight is cancelled then you have refund, re-route and rebook options. BA can rebook on to several other airlines.
If you are due to fly to Hong Kong until 1st April you have refund and rebook options.
If you are transiting into mainland China you are also covered as above.
If you are transiting internationally (e.g. LHR-HKG-SYD) you are not able to move your flights, unless they are cancelled anyway.
The latest ba.com update was on 21 February 2020 at 1510.
More information on the advice of Her Majesty's Government about travel and health is on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
For the Special Administration Regions of Hong Kong and Macao:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/macao
Summary from IATA of all travel restrictions due to Coronavirus as added to TIMATIC https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
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HKG frequency reductions (as of 1330 on 21 February 2020, all dates inclusive).
LHR-HKG
From Thu 13.02.2020 to Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
HKG-LHR
From Fri 14.02.2020 to Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
Note: Schedule changes take effect on Sun 29.03.2020 in both directions.
BA have cancelled all flights to PKX (Beijing/Peking) and PVG (Shanghai Pu Dong) "until 19 April 2020".
BA frequency to HKG has been reduced with effect from 13 February 2020 - see below for further details. From HKG, Cathay is running a heavily reduced schedule to mainland destinations until the end of March.
If you are due to fly to PKX, PVG and your flight is cancelled then you have refund, re-route and rebook options. BA can rebook on to several other airlines.
If you are due to fly to Hong Kong until 1st April you have refund and rebook options.
If you are transiting into mainland China you are also covered as above.
If you are transiting internationally (e.g. LHR-HKG-SYD) you are not able to move your flights, unless they are cancelled anyway.
The latest ba.com update was on 21 February 2020 at 1510.
More information on the advice of Her Majesty's Government about travel and health is on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
For the Special Administration Regions of Hong Kong and Macao:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/macao
Summary from IATA of all travel restrictions due to Coronavirus as added to TIMATIC https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
.
HKG frequency reductions (as of 1330 on 21 February 2020, all dates inclusive).
LHR-HKG
From Thu 13.02.2020 to Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
- Tue 18.02.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (777).
- Tue 10.03.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (777).
- Mon 27.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 28.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Wed 29.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Thu 30.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 11.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 12.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 18.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 19.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Sun 24.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 25.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 26.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (777).
HKG-LHR
From Fri 14.02.2020 to Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
- Wed 19.02.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (777).
- Wed 11.03.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (777).
- Sun 29.03.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 28.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 29.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Thu 30.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Fri 01.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 12.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 13.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 19.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 20.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Mon 25.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 26.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 27.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (777).
Note: Schedule changes take effect on Sun 29.03.2020 in both directions.
*Coronavirus : BA Suspends all flts to mainland China* +discussion on long haul flts
Jan 20, 2020, 4:31 pm
#1
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
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
*Coronavirus : BA Suspends all flts to mainland China* +discussion on long haul flts
There are countless reports about the current coronavirus, and it's SARS like symptoms.
With an upcoming trip to Shanghai, I'm keeping tabs on the WHO and FCO advice.
Out of curiosity, what did BA do during the SARS outbreak a number of years ago? Did flights operate?
M
With an upcoming trip to Shanghai, I'm keeping tabs on the WHO and FCO advice.
Out of curiosity, what did BA do during the SARS outbreak a number of years ago? Did flights operate?
M
Jan 20, 2020, 4:41 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oxford
Programs: Skyteam Elite+, VS Red, HHonours Diamond, Accor Plat
Posts: 629
I will bow to others with better memories but I think flights ran uninterrupted.
'BA flights continue in spite of SARS'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/a...ticle-masthead
'BA flights continue in spite of SARS'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/a...ticle-masthead
Jan 20, 2020, 5:49 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2003
Location: DEL
Programs: Mucci du Miel d'Or
Posts: 2,374
I expect SARS is a more appropriate comparison, but, for what it’s worth, in relation to Ebola they did withdraw from the Freetown route. Brussels Aitlnes continued with much encouragement and I did wonder whether withdrawal was an easier commercial decision for BA to take, ie Freetown being a marginal route. They never restarted the service.
Jan 20, 2020, 11:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Just washing your hands or using an alcohol cleaning fluid (Minimum 60% ethanol) can be surprisingly effective. This is because you are constantly touching your face without realising it which helps transfer the virus from the many surfaces you touch to points of entry to your body.
If you are going to a region effective getting into the good habit of regularly washing your hands may be a good idea.
As might taking vitamin C and Zinc supplements which have some limited evidence to indicate it helps your immune system,
If you are going to a region effective getting into the good habit of regularly washing your hands may be a good idea.
As might taking vitamin C and Zinc supplements which have some limited evidence to indicate it helps your immune system,
Jan 21, 2020, 2:10 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
The Air China flights went from daily 747 to a few times a week on the A340, full outbound from China, empty ex-London.
Jan 21, 2020, 2:16 am
#6
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I remember travelling to China in the height of the SARS outbreak. Some (non-travelling) family members were anxious about my trip, but I found it funny that on arrival the BA passengers were screened for fever because there had been more cases in the UK at that point and the Chinese authorities were worried about us being the risky people.
Mind you, being tested by a thing shaped somewhat like a gun being held to my temple by a goverment official did give me a momentary frisson.
Mind you, being tested by a thing shaped somewhat like a gun being held to my temple by a goverment official did give me a momentary frisson.
Jan 21, 2020, 2:22 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,433
I flew from HKG to YYZ the week things got really bad. The most shocking thing was arriving in Canada and being met by people in masks, mandatory temperature checks and a general sense of fear. Hong Kong was extraordinary, day by day you could see the city getting quieter and quieter as people just stayed home.
The following month I flew DPS-SIN on SQ and had both the F and J cabins to myself 😮
SARS was before BA served Shanghai but I recall they kept frequencies to both HKG and PEK.
The following month I flew DPS-SIN on SQ and had both the F and J cabins to myself 😮
SARS was before BA served Shanghai but I recall they kept frequencies to both HKG and PEK.
Jan 21, 2020, 3:19 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 52
I flew from HKG to YYZ the week things got really bad. The most shocking thing was arriving in Canada and being met by people in masks, mandatory temperature checks and a general sense of fear. Hong Kong was extraordinary, day by day you could see the city getting quieter and quieter as people just stayed home.
The following month I flew DPS-SIN on SQ and had both the F and J cabins to myself 😮
SARS was before BA served Shanghai but I recall they kept frequencies to both HKG and PEK.
The following month I flew DPS-SIN on SQ and had both the F and J cabins to myself 😮
SARS was before BA served Shanghai but I recall they kept frequencies to both HKG and PEK.
Jan 21, 2020, 3:23 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
I traveled a lot around Asia that year. Just before I left Beijing in the April, the streets were much quieter than normal, smog/visibility got noticeably better. There were some super deals on flights too, and tourist attractions were quiet. Mid-summer I was in Cambodia, and we were the only group in Angkor Wat for sunrise. Nowadays there are thousands of people there. Every SQ boarding pass got a "SARS Fever Check" stamp once you'd gone through the fever scan.
Jan 21, 2020, 3:41 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,915
Currently in Qingdao, the Chinese Government are now taking this very seriously.
If any government in this world would have a fighting chance of controlling this outbreak my guess is that China has to be at the top of the list, they have the resources to do so, and appear to have the political will behind this. I am sure the big data machine is hard at work in China already trying to join the dots. It's really unfortunate that so many people in China are due to travel at this time of year and that will increase those risks. I guess we will all have to watch this space.
- First case of the virus has turned up in this city from someone who has visited Wuhan.
- Five hospitals in this city of 9 million people have been designated as being qualified to handle possible cases of infection.
- All leave over the spring festival for relevant qualified medical staff has been cancelled and they have to be within an hour or so of their medical base.
- All passengers on flights already being screened throughout the country. Action plan to put body temperature scanners in at train stations and other long distance hubs being implemented at high speed.
- Government are encouraging the population to take sensible precautions, wear face masks, drink more water, wash hands, etc.
- My friends here say that there is a slight uptick in the use of face masks so far but many people wear them usually at this time of the year especially in the north when it's cold.
If any government in this world would have a fighting chance of controlling this outbreak my guess is that China has to be at the top of the list, they have the resources to do so, and appear to have the political will behind this. I am sure the big data machine is hard at work in China already trying to join the dots. It's really unfortunate that so many people in China are due to travel at this time of year and that will increase those risks. I guess we will all have to watch this space.
Last edited by plunet; Jan 21, 2020 at 3:46 am
Jan 21, 2020, 3:42 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,899
Also off to PVG in a few weeks so will monitor this closely.
Jan 21, 2020, 3:46 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
I was in Beijing for the SARS infection period - I certainly don't recall there being any change in the number of BA flights, though I wasn't flying BA much at that time to be honest so may not have noticed a minor reduction in service. Makes sense that according to shefgab they carried on to NRT to avoid crew staying in China.
msm2000uk If things do get worse and the trip is not work related, bear in mind also that there can be some good deals on MH and UL out of PVG.
msm2000uk If things do get worse and the trip is not work related, bear in mind also that there can be some good deals on MH and UL out of PVG.
Jan 21, 2020, 3:54 am
#13
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
China Railway just declared refund waiver for Wuhan rail travel https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/cnnews/2...00952_001.html
But that's a long way before foreign carriers will cancel flights to PVG.
But that's a long way before foreign carriers will cancel flights to PVG.
Jan 21, 2020, 4:21 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,028
What does this thread have to do with BA?
Jan 21, 2020, 4:28 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SIN 5 days out of 7
Programs: BD*G, A3*G, BA-S, Accor Gold, IHG Amb
Posts: 5,505