Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines took the first step today in cancelling all flights into China. The airline is suspending all flights from the US effective 5 February 2020, if not sooner, until 30 April 2020.
The airline noted in a press release that this decision is being made “due to ongoing concerns related to the coronavirus”
The airline also notes that it isn’t suspending flights immediately in order to “ensure customers looking to exit China have options to do so”
Those who are impacted will have a few options:
- Rebook on a flight after April 30th
- Request a refund
- Contact Delta to discuss additional options, which I assume means travelling on a partner airline that will continue to fly
Delta currently offers 42 weekly flights between the US and China via its hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and Seattle.
American Airlines
American Airlines quickly followed Delta’s lead today, but not by choice.
Recently the airline had announced plans to reduce its service into China as of 9 February they had plans to suspend flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai and Beijing.
Yesterday the Airline Pilots Association (APA) filed a lawsuit against American Airlines for forcing pilots to operate flights into China.
APA President Captain Eric Ferguson put out the following statement for American pilots, who are scheduled to fly to China to refuse to do so:
“Consistent with our lawsuit, I am directing all APA pilots to cease flight operations between the United States and China. Until further notice, if you are scheduled, assigned or reassigned a pairing into China, decline the assignment by calling your Chief Pilot or IOC Duty Pilot. Inform them you are declining in accordance with the CDC and WHO declarations.”
Unsurprisingly, without pilots to fly the planes, American Airlines just minutes ago put out it’s newest press release stating:
“Based on the U.S. Department of State’s recent increase of the China Travel Advisory to a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) American is suspending its operations to and from the Chinese mainland beginning today through March 27.”
American currently operates flights from Dallas (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX) into mainland china.
Right now it appears that flights into Hong Kong are still operating for American Airlines, but with the developing situation we would not be surprised to see that updated.
As it currently stands American Airlines flights to Hong Kong are severely delayed
