Flights Affected by the Coronavirus / COVID-19 in 2023

Chances are that your travel plans have been affected by the Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic, as travel restrictions have been put in place by governments around the world, and airlines are dealing with a crisis as travel demand drops and flight capacity is cut to unprecedented levels. This is your guide to what you can expect as your options if your travel plans have been affected by this global pandemic.

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My Flight is Cancelled by the Airline due to Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic

If your flight was cancelled by your airline due to the Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic, you should be eligible for a full refund on your ticket, or be offered the option to rebook onto an alternative flight once travel resumes and flights are rescheduled. Some airlines will offer you the option to refund your ticket into their "My Wallet" accounts, to keep as credit for flights with that airline in the future.

Am I Eligible for EC-261 Flight Compensation if my Flight is Cancelled due to the Coronavirus?

The Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic is considered an "Extraordinary Event", that the airlines have no control over and are unavoidable.  Hence, if your flight is delayed or canceled due to the Coronavirus, you are NOT eligible for additional compensation under EC-261 Regulations.

What Happens if I am Stuck at the Airport?

If you are at the airport and your flight has just been cancelled, your airline should provide you with the following:

- Food and Drink
- Access to Communication
- Hotel Accomodation if necessary

These are the rules that apply under EC-261, and apply to airports within the EU.  Your rights at other airports may vary.

My Flight is Not Cancelled, but I Cannot Fly Due to Government Border Restrictions

If your flight is still scheduled, but you will not be allowed to enter into the country you are visiting, be sure to contact your airline to reschedule or cancel your ticket.  Many airlines will allow you to change your flight booking free of charge, or to refund your ticket as credit for future flights with the airline, waiving their standard cancellation or rebooking fees.  

As airline call centers are extremely busy these days, be sure to only contact your airline with scheduled to depart within the next 72 hours.

Should I Cancel my Flight Because of Coronavirus?

It is recommended to avoid all non-essential travel due to the Coronavirus outbreak. This includes vacations and other non-essential travel to help avoid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your flight is still scheduled, but you do not feel comfortable flying anymore, you are not eligible to compensation from your airline. Depending on the fare level of the ticket you bought, you may be allowed to reschedule or cancel your flight. Be sure to check with your airline, as many airlines have waived their flight change and cancellation fees on existing reservations, even if your original ticket did not allow you to change your reservation. 

As many airline call centers are being inundated with calls from worried customers, expect very long wait times, and many airlines are requesting that you only contact their call center if your scheduled to depart within the next 72 hours. Be sure to check your airline's webpage, as you may be able to reschedule or cancel your flight online with their self-service tools.

Does My Travel Insurance Cover My Flight Change if I do Not Wish to Fly?

It is unlikely that your travel insurance will cover your desire to no longer travel, if your flight is still scheduled to depart and there are no government restrictions in place.  However, if there is a government restriction on not allowing you to enter the country you would be visiting, you may be eligible to be covered by your insurance policy.  Be sure to speak to your insurance provider directly.

How do I Return Home if My Flight is Cancelled?

If you are trying to return home and your flight has been canelled, you may ask to be rebooked onto another scheduled flight.  However, due to the everchanging circumstances, other sheduled flights may also be affected, to expect some complications or consider other forms of transport if possible.  Most countries will allow you to return home if you are a citizen or permanent resident, but you are likely to be put under isolation/quarantine for 14 days, or undergo additional health checks before being allowed back into the country.

Repatriation Flights

Some countries that have closed their borders to all incoming flights are scheduling repatriation flights to bring their citizens back home from around the world.  Be sure to check what policies apply to your country, and whether there are repatration flights being operated by your government.

Should I be Booking New Flights Now?

Many airlines are incentivizing new bookings in order to keep up their cash flow, offering great deals for future flights, as well as allowing for much more flexible bookings.  This means that you can score some great deals for future travel once the world resumes to operate in a more normal manner after this pandemic.  Many airlines are allowing flexible bookings that you will be able to reschedule in the future without any additional fees, so this is a great opportunity to plan for the future, knowing that you will be protected even if flight delays and cancellations continue into the future.

The one risk of booking new flights is if the airlines with which you are booking do not survive the financial crisis and constraints they are under due to the Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic, in which case you will lose your booking. Be sure to make your bookings with a credit card that offers travel protection for if the airline with which you book does happen to go under before your next trip.

How to Stay Safe While Flying During the Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic?

The safest way to travel in the fourth year of the pandemic is to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Make sure not to fly if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or if you have tested positive yourself. Although the use of masks is no longer mandatory on most flights worldwide, many people continue to wear them to protect themselves and others, and it is the safest way to travel.

It is recommended to stay safe by following all World Health Organization recommendations.  This includes maintaining a safe social distance between others (minimum of 1-2 meters), practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently and using sanitizing hand wash, and avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. Bring sanitizing wipes with you onto the plane, and clean/wipe-down your tray table upon arrival.

When seated, it is recommened to OPEN the air vent above your head. The cabin air in an airplane is filtered with HEPA filters, similar to a hospital operating room, and is mixed together with fresh air from the outside. Studies have shown that opening the air vent will provide cleaner air than breathing in the rest of the air in the cabin, and also provide a "safety bubble" of clean air around you. 

If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus / COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing), or have been in possible close contact with anyone, do NOT go to the airport to help avoid the spread of the virus. Contact your health care provider by phone immediately, and follow their instructions, including isolating yourself from everyone else.

In some countries, medical services upon arrival may subject you to medical tests or observation, and you may still be required to comply with a 14-day isolation or quarantine upon arrival, depending on the country. Although the situation is returning to normal, there are still restrictions in various countries and the virus is still present. The important thing is to follow the recommendations to stay safe and not expose yourself to the virus or spread it with others.

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