British Airways cancels Sydney flights to 2021
Faced with travel bans in both the UK and Australia, it's no surprise that BA's London-Sydney flight is still scuppered.
By David Flynn, November 6 2020
British Airways won't be returning to Sydney until sometime in 2021, with the airline caught between travel bans in both the UK and Australia.
The British flag-carrier had previously hoped to resume its London-Singapore-Sydney service in December and was taking bookings for its popular Kangaroo Route, despite the current restrictions which limit the number of inbound passengers and require a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine stay which can cost travellers more than twice the airfare.
Those optimistic hopes have now been dashed by the imposition of a four week lockdown in the UK which includes a ban on all but essential travel.
"In light of this announcement, we have taken the decision to implement a number of cancellations across our network" said Mark Muren, BA's Head of Global Sales.
"Policies are in place to ensure maximum flexibility for our customers. If a flight is cancelled, customers will be entitled to a refund as per our standard customer guidelines. Our ‘Book with Confidence’ policy continues to offer the ability to change a flight, date or destination or request a voucher for future travel."
BA overnight removed some 50 international routes from its schedule until at least December 2, among them London-Singapore, but has also scrubbed the Sydney's BA15/BA16 until January 2021.
Those flights have been out of action since early April, after Australia introduced compulsory hotel quarantine while Singapore closed its own borders and banned transit passengers at Changi Airport.
British Airways' Airbus A380s, which were stood down in March 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, are also expected to be grounded until at least early 2021 in the wake of the UK's travel ban.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
03 May 2013
Total posts 543
I hope BA 15/16 change over to the more civilised 789 (or even A351) so I can finally start flying BA. No chance while it's a 777 for 23 hours.
08 Feb 2018
Total posts 104
with the new busi class too, Club is basically economy with every second seat backwards so you don't notice ;-/
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 808
Given Qatar's involvement in the IAG share register, I wonder is BA will ever return downunder and the future BA service will just be a codeshare on Qatar
20 Oct 2017
Total posts 6
Booked in First class on BA from Sydney to Te Aviv via London for August 2021.I wont cancel yet but fingers crossed we will have seen the end of this horrific worldwide pandemic by then.I wish BA would replace the Boeing 777 on the LHR/SIN/SIN route but their A350 only has Business class and economy and loadings just don't warrant an A380.A wider seat in First Class would be a great improvement to the First Class cabin. Instead of a 22 inch wide suite make it a 25 inch wide suite for us bigger guests.
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 107
BA would be able to fill their A380 on the SYD flights. Their only problem is that they have a product that just isn’t competitive. F using 1-2-1 that is found in business class on other airlines. J in a 2-4-2 configuration. Y+ & Y that are nothing better than the likes of SQ, EK, EY, QF, etc. they are slow to catch up with the rest of the industry. It’s a shame because their ground services in LHR are impeccable.
04 Dec 2017
Total posts 60
BA have had their day as a connector from Australia. Decent airline but the stupidly expensive extra taxes at LHR and waste of time backtracking if you're flying to a destination in Middle East, Africa or eastern Europe make it redundant unless you're a diehard BA fan. The EK(QF Codeshare) and QR are a much more sensible and better value for money option. EY and SQ too for non ow. I'd say CX but I hear the chinese are trying to squeeze them hard and put them out of business.
20 Oct 2017
Total posts 6
I would'nt waste my money on any middle Eastern airline or Qantas.I don't appreciate the middle eastern attitude towards the pink doller and I don't like Qantas First class especially their cabin design and food choices.BA is not expencive infact is hundreds of dollers cheaper than other carriers in First class. Yes BA has along way to get back to being a top international carrier but you get what you pay for.The positive factor is BA offers a streamline connection from Sydney via Singapore and London to Tel Aviv.I have no complaints.✈️
03 May 2013
Total posts 543
You actually pay for F Class on BA?
BAEC
10 Jul 2019
Total posts 14
F on BA, especially out of SYD was frequently only a few hundred $$$'s more than J. Well worth the extra when factoring space, level of service and ground experience including car transfers (at SYD) QF F lounge etc.
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