A snapshot of flexible Covid-19 airline travel policies

From border closures to flight cancellations, the ever-changing conditions in response to Covid-19 have greatly impacted travellers’ plans. In response, many airlines have implemented new Covid-19 policies to boost customers’ confidence in purchasing airline tickets. Airlines have brought out new fares with greater flexibility, ranging from free cancellations to vouchers and credits. Some are even providing Covid-19related health insurance. Read on for a selection of pandemic policy offerings.

FLEXIBLE FARES

Many carriers have implemented new Covid-19 policies to provide greater flexibility for travellers to rebook, change or cancel flights without the usual fees.

Air France

Until December 31, 2021, customers can change the date and/or destination of tickets, regardless of fare type, and request a ticket refund any time before the departure date. For non-refundable tickets, customers will receive a voucher valid for one year. airfrance.com

ANA

Changes to new bookings can be made unlimited times, with no additional fees, until September 30, 2021. The new departure date must be within 355 days of the original date of booking. ana.co.jp

Asiana

The South Korean airline is waiving reissue fees on all international routes for bookings issued between March 10, 2020 and October 31, 2021. flyasiana.com

Hong Kong Airlines

Passengers with tickets issued from November 24, 2020 onwards are eligible for unlimited changes to the travel date and destination, without additional fees. The rebooked trip must be completed within one year. hongkongairlines.com

Korean Air

Reissue charges will be waived once for Korean Air international flight tickets with departure dates between March 4, 2020 and June 30, 2022, and can be rescheduled any time until June 30, 2022. Refund penalties can also be waived if the flight is affected by government travel restrictions. koreanair.com

VOUCHER / CREDITS

Airlines are providing more options for travellers to convert tickets into vouchers or credits to put towards flights and other things in the future.

Air New Zealand

The carrier will honour the monetary value of Covid-19-affected flights in the form of credit that can be used to book new flights, select seats, add extra luggage or secure an upgrade. For credits received before July 1, 2021, flights must be booked by June 30, 2022, with travel before June 30, 2023. For credit received after July 1, 2021, customers will have a year to rebook a flight and a further 12 months to travel. airnewzealand.co.nz

British Airways

BA is offering customers the option to claim a voucher equivalent to the value of their booking to use later. Customers booked from March 3, 2020 onwards, for travel due to be completed by April 30, 2022, can claim a voucher that will be valid for travel until April 30, 2023. britishairways.com

Qantas

If you wish to change your travel plans or no longer want to travel, you can cancel your booking and retain the full value as a Flight Credit. For bookings from August 1, 2021, your Flight Credit will be valid for booking and travel within 12 months of your original booking date. Change or cancellation fees may apply depending on conditions of previous booking. qantas.com

SAS

Passengers who had flights cancelled after March 5, 2020 are eligible to apply for a voucher. The value of the voucher will include the cost of the ticket plus extra fees, such as seat reservation, extra baggage, lounge access and additional meals. Taxes

and governmental fees are included. The voucher is valid for one year after issuance to buy travel and extras via the SAS website. flysas.com

Singapore Airlines

Flight credits are available for trips disrupted by Covid-19 through border restrictions or flight cancellations, and where the ticket is covered under the travel waiver policy. Fully unused adult fare ticket flight credits will be eligible for bonus credits valued between S$75 (US$55) and S$500 (US$370) depending on cabin class. singaporeair.com

Thai Airways

If you have a Thai Airways fully unused ticket or have applied for a refund, you can claim a travel voucher of equivalent ticket value. The airline will email you a Thai Travel Voucher valid until December 2022 to be used on international Thai or Thai Smile flights. thaiairways.com

COVID-19 INSURANCE

Some airlines are cooperating with insurance companies to provide coverage for medical expenses, such as quarantine and treatment for Covid-19.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has teamed up with AXA General Insurance Hong Kong Limited to offer free Covid-19 insurance for trips taken between December 7, 2020 and September 30, 2021. The insurance covers overseas medical expenses and PCR tests if the traveller is diagnosed with Covid-19 when travelling. If a traveller is denied boarding through not fulfilling local health requirements, the costs of unused hotel accommodation, pre-booked flights, additional accommodation and rebooking of flights will be reimbursed. If a traveller is required by local authorities to undergo testing and quarantine,

US$100 will be given for each full day of quarantine, up to 14 days. Medical treatment for Covid-19 will also be covered up to US$200,000. The coverage is valid for 30 days, or until return to home country. cathaypacific.com

Japan Airlines

The Japanese airline has partnered with Allianz Travel to provide complimentary JAL Covid-19 Cover for medical costs, testing and quarantine if a traveller is diagnosed with Covid-19. It covers up to €150,000 (US$177,500) for medical expenses, and up to €100 (US$120) per day for a maximum 14 days’ quarantine. Starting from July 1, 2021, isolation costs will also be covered for travellers who have been instructed by designated authorities to quarantine in an approved facility if they are suspected of having Covid-19. This coverage can be extended to one travel companion. The coverage lasts for 31 days after the international departure date, and is currently valid until September 30, 2021. jal.co.jp/uk/en

Emirates

Emirates automatically applies multi-risk travel insurance to tickets purchased after December 1, 2020 that includes: US$500,000 overseas medical expenses and emergency evacuation; US$7,500 if the trip is cancelled due to the person contracting Covid-19 or failing a Covid-19 screening at the airport; US$7,500 if the trip is cut short due to you or a relative contracting Covid-19 overseas; and US$150 per day for up to 14 days if you test positive for Covid-19 and get placed in a quarantine facility. The coverage lasts up to 365 days. emirates.com

Etihad

Etihad’s Covid-19 global wellness insurance covers passengers diagnosed with Covid-19 while travelling overseas. Quarantine costs of €100 (US$120) per day will be provided, up to a maximum of 14 days, with €150,000 (US$177,500) of coverage for medical treatment. PCR tests are not covered. Travellers need to contact the Etihad Covid-19 Assistance Team to make arrangements. The insurance covers 31 days from the first day of the trip; and is currently valid until September 30, 2021. etihad.com BT