LAST UPDATED: 09:20 2nd March
With the outbreak of Coronavirus in Italy, airlines are rushing to reduce capacity to Italy, as well as implement commercial policies for passengers who have tickets.
Here’s a selection of the latest information
Alitalia
For passengers in Lockdown areas (as defined by the by Italian Authorities) and had tickets issued before February 22nd 2020, with travel dates between February 23rd and March 8th 2020, who are forced to not to to travel they may request to Alitalia Customer Centre for a voucher (TCV) no later than March 15th 2020 for an amount equal to the value of the ticket purchased or its residual value, valid for the purchase of other tickets to any Alitalia operated routes, for travel until June 30th 2020.
In case of passengers not being able to travel and flying on MilleMiglia award tickets with destination Mauritius, passengers will be entitled to obtain credit back of MilleMiglia miles.
Full policy at https://www.alitalia.com/en_gb/fly-alitalia/news-and-activities/news/info-flights.html
Air France
Air France Airbus A319 taking off from Birmingham Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
At the time of writing, Air France is maintain its service to Italy. However, To date, we are maintaining our service to Italy.
If you have a valid Air France ticket, issued on or before 25 February, 2020, for an Air France flight departing from or arriving in Italy between 25 February and 15 March you can postpone your trip at no extra cost onto a later flight until 3rd April. You may also choose to change your country of destination or origin or cancel your trip via your travel agent. Air France will offer a voucher that will be valid for 1 year and can be used on Air France or KLM Flights. The voucher will be non-refundable.
Full policy at https://www.airfrance.co.uk/GB/en/common/page_flottante/hp/news-air-traffic-air-france.htm
American Airlines
American Airlines Boeing 787-8 Climbing out of O’Hare – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
American Airlines have suspended operations between
- New York JFK and Milan MXP Malpensa (Daily Flight)
- Miami and Milan MXP Malpensa (Daily Flight)
Flights are due to resume on 25th April 2020. The airlines customer support teams will be in contact if you are booked over that time.
Full policy at http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Update-on-China-Flights-OPS-DIS/default.aspx
In addition, over the weekend, the airline rolled out a new rebooking policy. It’s advisable to read it if you have flights coming up on the airline.
British Airways
British Airways Airbus A321 waiting to line up for the runway – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
British Airways is continuing to operate to Italy. However passengers booked to travel between London and the Northern Italian destinations including, Milan (Linate and Malpensa), Turin, Bologna, Venice, Bergamo and Verona up to 2 March 2020, can rebook to a later travel date up to 31 March 2020.
Full polices at https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/incident/coronavirus/latest-information
Delta Air Lines
Delta Airbus A330-300 at Dublin Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Delta is temporarily suspending its daily flight between New York – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) from 2nd March (last departure from JFK), 3rd of March from Milan).
Services are due to resume on 1st/2nd May
Delta will continue its daily flights between
- New York-JFK – Rome
- Atlanta – Rome
Full policy at https://news.delta.com/delta-temporarily-suspends-milan-service
KLM
KLM Boeing 737-800 at Amsterdam Schiphol – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
KLM are continuing to operate flights to Italy, however a rebooking policy is in place. Rebookings for flights are allowed for departures up until 30 April. The new departure date should be no later than 31 May 2020.
You can rebook your flight at the latest on 31 May 2020.
Full policy at https://www.klm.com/travel/gb_en/prepare_for_travel/up_to_date/flight_update/index.htm
Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa Airbus A320 departing Hamburg Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Lufthansa Group is offering free rebooking for the following destinations in Northern Italy:
- Bologna
- Milan
- Genoa
- Trieste
- Turin
- Verona
- Venice and
Tickets must be issued on Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines or Air Dolomiti stock on or before 26th February for travel dates between2 4th February 24 and 9th March.
Full policy at https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/flight-information.html
United Airlines
United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER departing Chicago – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
An advisory is in place for both directly served and code-shared destinations.
Currently, United serve Milan Malpensa, Rome and Venice directly. Naples and Palermo are served seasonally. Code-shared destinations include Bologna, Genoa, Milan (Other airports), Trieste, Turin, Venice, and Verona.
United will waive any change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new United flights departing between February 27, 2020 – June 30, 2020, as long as travel is rescheduled in the originally ticketed cabin and between the same cities as originally ticketed. For changes beyond that or different cities, the change fee will be waived, but fare diffence will apply. . Rescheduled travel must be completed within one year from the date when the ticket was issued.
Full policy at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html
Check with your airline before you travel
With the situation more than fluid – you must check before you travel especially if you’re heading to Italy, Iran, South Korea and China.
As usual check with your countries travel advice as well before setting off (eg US Department of State, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and so on)
And please follow World Health Organisation advice for keeping yourself safe.
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