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Many holidaymakers have seen their travel plans axed amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and as more restrictions come into force holiday providers and airlines will rethink their itineraries once again. On February 15, it is anticipated the latest travel rules will begin, which will see travellers from select “high risk” destinations being detained in quarantine hotels.
What are the latest updates for flights from Jet2, easyJet, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Ryanair and TUI?
Jet2
Jet2 made the decision to cancel all flights and holidays up to and including March 25, 2021, following the announcement of a third national lockdown in the UK.
The Leeds-based airline has also suspended flights to Iceland up to and including April 26, 2021.
Customers who are impacted by the changes will “automatically” be given a full refund.
Would-be holidaymakers who booked their travel via a third-party agent are advised to contact them directly.
In a statement, Jet2 said: “If you’ve been affected by these programme changes, we’ll be automatically cancelling your booking with a full refund. Please be patient with us as we do this.”
It added: “If you’re due to travel from March 26, 2021, onwards, we’ll provide an update closer to the time.”
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easyJet
easyJet has been pushed to amend its itinerary amid the ongoing pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions.
As a result of the latest rules, alongside the ongoing UK-wide lockdown, the budget airline has also cancelled some of its package holiday deals too.
Though some flights continue to operate, they will be on a reduced schedule, and passengers are warned of “a number of governments imposing travel entry bans.”
Holidaymakers who are no longer able to jet off, or those who simply do not wish to, can request a full refund, the opportunity to rebook their flight for a later date or select a travel voucher.
easyJet’s package holiday arm, easyJet Holidays, has made the decision to cancel all holidays up to and including March 24.
“We’re sorry if your travel plans have been disrupted, this is due to extraordinary circumstances outside of our control. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your ongoing support,” easyJet said in a statement.
“If part or all of your trip is cancelled, you will be notified directly via email and will be informed of your options, which include switching to an another easyJet flight for free (this includes the option to select a different arrival and departure airport within the same country of the original booking if you wish), choosing a voucher for the value of your ticket or requesting a refund, all of which you will be able to manage yourself online via Manage bookings on easyJet.com or on the easyJet App.”
An easyJet spokesperson previously told Express.co.uk: “We will also be in touch with customers with later departure dates to remind them of our easyJet holidays Protection Promise which offers ultimate flexibility and reassurance.”
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Ryanair
Though Ryanair continued to fly a number of its planned flights throughout the coronavirus pandemic, in recent months the Irish-carrier made the decision to slash capacity through until April.
Airline bosses have pointed to a drop in foot traffic as the main reason why they have cancelled flights.
In a press release, the airline stated there will be “few if any, flights being operated to or from Ireland or the UK from the UK from the end of January until such a time as these draconian travel restrictions are removed”.
The cutbacks will also see the airline dropping its full-year traffic forecast from “below 35 million” to between 26 million and 30 million.
Customers who are impacted by cancellations will be contacted “as soon as possible” by email or text message.
Those who have had their flight cancelled by the airline will be able to select from two options, including a refund.
However, those who simply no longer wish to fly will not be able to access a refund.
Instead, they will have the option to move their flight to a later date free of charge.
On its website, Ryanair states: “We deeply regret the inconvenience of flight cancellations and we’ll try our best to minimise the impact of these disruptions.
“If your flight is cancelled there are two options available to you to choose from. You can either apply for a refund or change your cancelled flight for free.”
Customers can opt for a full refund via the Ryanair website by logging into their MyRyanair account.
“Refunds will be processed, within 7 working days, back to the form of payment used for the original booking,” states the airline.
Customers hoping to rebook their travel can do so via the Ryanair website.
On its website, Ryanair explains: “We know your plans may change, so we’ve dropped our flight change fees for all new bookings made before 31 March 2021, for travel before 31 October 2021. You can now make up to two flight changes for travel by 31 October 2021.
“This gives you complete flexibility and peace of mind, and you only pay the fare difference.”
British Airways
British Airways is operating a “reduced and dynamic” schedule as a result of the ongoing travel restrictions.
Customers impacted by flight cancellations will be contacted directly by the airline.
A British Airways spokesperson previously told Express.co.uk: “We are contacting customers whose flights are cancelled to offer options including a full refund.
“We advise customers to check the latest UK Government travel advice at gov.uk and their latest flight information at ba.com.”
The British flag-bearing airline has also updated its website following the news of hotel quarantine.
Regarding the Government’s plans to introduce a hotel quarantine period for those arriving from high-risk countries, the BA website states: “We are aware of the UK Government’s announcement on further measures at the UK borders, including hotel-isolation requirements for arrivals from some destinations.
“If you have an existing booking, our book with confidence commitment gives you the flexibility to change or cancel your plans if you need to.”
Travellers who wish to cancel or amend their bookings can do so via the British Airways website.
They are asked to refrain from calling the British Airways telephone line unless their flight is within the “next 72 hours” due to “high call volumes”.
TUI
TUI has made the decision to cancel its flight and holiday itinerary until the end of February due to the ongoing travel restrictions.
The holiday provider made the decision to amend plans from January 4.
All holidays up to and including February 28, 2021, are now cancelled.
Furthermore, holidays to Goa, India; La Palma, Canary Islands; Phuket, Thailand; The Gambia; Florida; Iceland and Seychelles are cancelled up to and including April 30, 2021.
In a statement on its website, TUI explains: “As a result of the latest national lockdown measures announced on 4 January 2021, we’re not able to operate holidays for the moment. Please rest assured, if you were booked to travel with us between now and the end of February, we’ll be contacting you soon to discuss our options. This will be done in departure date order.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is “reviewing” its flight schedule in light of new travel restrictions.
In a statement on its website, Virgin Atlantic states: “We are currently reviewing our flight schedule in light of the new national restrictions and our teams will be in contact with any customers whose flights may be affected, to provide their options.”
Customers who booked via a third party or travel agents should contact them directly.
“If we need to cancel a customer’s flight, customers will have the option to rebook or request a refund,” reads Virgin’s website.
“To simplify the options for Virgin Atlantic customers, and to provide immediate peace of mind, where a flight is cancelled, we’re automatically providing a customer credit equal to the value of the trip.
“This credit can be used to rebook on alternative dates, allowing for two date changes, a destination change and name change, for travel all the way until 31 December 2022.
“If the flight is still scheduled to operate, customers have the option to rebook, with a name change and two date change fees waived, for a new travel date up until 31 December 2022.”
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