COVID-19: Top Airlines Flex Policies
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately many airlines had to cancel or reschedule most of their flights. This has resulted in a number of uncertainties arising amidst passengers over their trips being disrupted. As a consequence, airlines have added flexibility to their policies. Below, we have summarised the flex policies of some top airlines that you may have booked a flight with. If you have an upcoming trip or are planning one in the near future, here are your options.
British Airways
For bookings made after March 3, 2020 onwards for journeys that are due to have been completed by 31 August 2021: Dates and destinations can be changed, free of charge, although the difference in price will have to be paid. If travellers choose to cancel their ticket, they will receive a voucher which is valid until April 30, 2022. If the airline cancels your flight, you may be eligible for a full refund.
Read more on the British Airways Flex Ticket Policy.
Ryanair
For passengers travelling after September: Flight change fees have been dropped for flights that were booked after July 16, 2020. Travellers can change the destination, time and date (as long as it’s before December 31, 2020) without incurring a fee.
Terms and Conditions:
- For bookings made between June 2020- November 2020: Flights may be changed to another flight departing before 21 March 2021free of charge. Travellers must pay the difference between the original ticket price and the new fare available when they make the change. If the new ticker price is lower, Ryanair will not refund the difference.
- The free of charge flight change is not available on changes made within 7 days of the departure date of the original flight.
Read more on the Ryanair Flex Ticket Policy.
Emirates
For travellers who booked flights on or before August 31, 2020: Flights until November 30, 2020, will be eligible to change their flights free of charge, or obtain a travel voucher which will be valid 24 months from the date of issue.
Read more on the Emirates Flex Ticket Policy.
EasyJet
EasyJet has slowly resumed their flights on June 15, 2020. Currently, they are principally on domestic routes from the UK and France, alongside a minimum number of international routes.
Passengers who wish to change their flights can do so without additional fees up to 14 days prior to departure. Fare differences will apply.
Read more on the EasyJet Flex Ticket Policy.
Turkish Airlines
For travellers who booked flights between March 21 and August 31, 2020: Tickets can be changed (international and domestic) to another flight taking place before December 31, 2020. Travellers who choose to cancel their flights are eligible for a refund, but it may take 60 days or longer.
Read more on the Turkish Airlines Flex Ticket Policy.
KLM
Travellers who purchased a ticket on or after April 22, 2020, can change their tickets at no extra cost. Passengers who wish to change their flight can do so on MyTrip. They must first cancel their check-in, if they have already checked into their flight, and click on the button change flight under 'Flight Details'.
Read more on the KLM Flex Ticket Policy.
We hope to have informed you sufficiently about the new flex policies that airlines have supplemented with their tickets. However, it is important to add that due to the ever-changing nature of the coronavirus, it is always a good idea to double-check with your airline regarding their newly implemented policies.
To know which countries you can travel to currently, check out our list of European Countries that are open, as well as our Travel Corridors article.