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Graphic ©2016 by Brian Cohen.
Brian Cohen·
2019 Novel Coronavirus
··6 min read

Update January 2020: Additional Airlines Issue Travel Waivers for 2019 Novel Coronavirus

If China is in your travel plans over the next few months, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, as additional airlines have issued travel waivers and alerts.

Update January 2020: Additional Airlines Issue Travel Waivers for 2019 Novel Coronavirus

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, which is located in the Hubei Province of China; and since then, at least 81 people have died as a result. At the time this article was written, 16 countries and territories have confirmed cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Five confirmed cases have been reported in the United States; and at least five airports in the United States which have been actively publicly screening incoming travelers from Wuhan — including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago.

All operations were shut down at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport until further notice effective as of Thursday, January 23, 2020 at midnight Eastern Standard Time, which has forced 49 airlines to cancel flights to and from Wuhan; and the entire city of Wuhan is currently under lockdown.

Meanwhile, some airlines — such as Japan Airlines — have issued directives to members of cabin crews that they are required to wear masks when performing cabin service on select routes as a precautionary measure effective as of yesterday, Friday, January 24, 2020.

Investigations to learn more about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus are ongoing in this rapidly evolving situation.

Discussions on FlyerTalk

Numerous discussions on FlyerTalk have been created in different forums — including:

Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations

If you are traveling to China over the next few months, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.

If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary.

Here are 13 airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in China:

  • American Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
    • Wuhan for Thursday, January 23, 2020 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
    • Beijing and Shanghai for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Friday, January 31, 2020; and Saturday, February 29, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for Beijing and Shanghai for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Saturday, February 29, 2020; and Tuesday, March 31, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • United Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
    • Wuhan for Wednesday, January 22, 2020 through Sunday, March 29, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
    • Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Friday, February 7, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Air Canada has issued travel alerts for:
    • Wuhan for Wednesday, January 22, 2020 through Sunday, March 29, 2020; and Monday, June 15, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
    • Beijing and Shanghai for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Friday, February 7, 2020; and Wednesday, April 15, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Air France has temporarily suspended all:
    • Flights to and from Wuhan through Sunday, February 2, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
    • Group travel to China through Saturday, February 29, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • British Airways has issued a travel alert for all flights to and from China for Sunday, January 26, 2020 through Sunday, February 23, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Hongkong Airlines has issued a travel alert for all flights to and from Mainland China for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Saturday, February 29, 2020; and Wednesday, May 31, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued a travel alert for all flights to and from Mainland China for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Saturday, February 29, 2020; and Sunday, May 31, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Lufthansa has issued a travel alert for all flights to and from Mainland China for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Sunday, February 23, 2020; and Wednesday, September 30, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Cathay Pacific Airways has:
  • All Nippon Airways has cancelled all flights from:
    • From Tokyo to Wuhan for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Friday, January 31, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
    • From Wuhan to Tokyo for Saturday, January 25, 2020 through Saturday, February 1, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Korean Air has canceled all flights to Wuhan for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Friday, January 31, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Singapore Airlines has issued a travel alert for all flights to and from Mainland China for Friday, January 24, 2020 through Saturday, February 29, 2020; and no exact date was given as the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.

Summary

Additional airlines may issue travel waivers as a result of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus; and existing travel waivers may be extended.

See also

Please refer to this article pertaining to whether you should be concerned about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus — which was written on Friday, January 24, 2020 here at The Gate — for additional details and information.

Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.

Graphic ©2016 by Brian Cohen.

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