When COVID-19 initially struck, holidays and travel plans were thrown into a state of disarray as borders closed and lockdowns ensued. After an unprecedented onslaught of refunds, airlines began to introduce flexible cancellation and flight change policies amid the ongoing uncertainty.
Are UK airlines are extending their Covid policies?
British Airways
British Airways customers who are unable to travel, or who choose not to, are able to change their flight date without incurring a fee.
This applies to all travel due to take place on or before August 31, 2022.
However, customers will have to pay any difference in fares between their original and new flights.
Customers who booked from March 3, 2020, for travel due to be completed by August 31, 2022, are also able to change the destination and dates of their booking.
British Airways states: “We will cancel your booking on your behalf and email you a voucher to the value of your booking, valid until September 30, 2023.”
The new trip, both departure and return, must be completed by September 30, 2023.
Customers can cancel their booking in exchange for a voucher worth the cost of their initial trip.
This applies to customers who booked prior to March 3, 2020, for travel due to have started by February 28, 2021, or customers who booked after March 3, 2020, for travel due to be completed by August 31, 2022.
The voucher must be used on a trip that is completed by September 30, 2022.
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easyJet
easyJet is currently allowing customers to transfer their flight fee-free to a new date or destination anytime up to two hours before departure.
However, this only applies to flights “this year”.
easyJet states this rule “applies to changes made up to and including December 31, 2021.
The orange-tipped carrier is “continuing to review” its policies, the future of which are unknown at present.
However, customers can change flights booked for next year now without incurring a fee up to the end of September 2022.
The airline also has in place an ongoing “Protection Promise” offering a price guarantee, refund promise and the freedom to change holidays up to 28 days before departure without incurring a fee.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is allowing customers who booked either flights or package holidays on or after March 3, 2020, due to depart before April 30, 2022, to change their flight “as many times” as they need to.
This includes dates and destination. However, any increased cost in flight price must be paid for.
Virgin Atlantic has not specified what its plans for the future are.
Express.co.uk has contacted the airline for further information.
Ryanair
Ryanair is currently offering “fee-free” flight changes for customers.
However, this policy only applies to 2021, and “excludes 2022”.
Ryanair states: “You can make two flight changes without being charged a flight change fee for bookings made between June 10, 2020, and prior to September 30, 2021, for travel before December 31, 2021.”
Fare price differences may apply.
Express.co.uk has contacted Ryanair to find out the airline’s plans for the future.
Jet2
Jet2 is cancelling any holidays and flights impacted directly by COVID-19 and will refund customers affected.
However, those who want to cancel their own flight will not be offered their money back, with Jet2 stating “scheduled flights are non-refundable”.
According to the airline’s website, date changes can be made but this will incur a £35 administration fee plus any difference in flight cost.
Destination changes can not be made.
However, customers who have to self-isolate due to NHS Test and Trace are titled to amend their booking “fee-free to a later date”.
Express.co.uk has contacted Jet2 for further information on its policies and if these may change in 2022.