Amid the current Covid-19 situation, you probably, most definitely know someone who’s tried to change or cancel a flight, or perhaps put that family vacation on hold until, well, further notice. As the coronavirus spreads globally and travel demand falls sharply, airlines are finding new ways to drum up business during this time of uncertainty and travel bans (Singapore has just extended its travel ban — people who have travelled to Iran, northern Italy and South Korea the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore from Mar 3.)

Enter British Airways, which has just introduced a ‘Book with Confidence’ policy to offer customers some flexibility. Customers who book BA flights between Mar 3 and 16 across any of the airline’s routes will be able to change flight dates without getting charged a change fee, should their travel circumstances change.

This covers all BA routes with changes available right up to departure. However, if you change your flight to a date with a more expensive fare than what you’d first paid, you’ll still have to pay the fare differences. The policy also does not cover flight cancellations.

This move is to boost the confidence of customers who may be choosing to defer or delay travel plans due to the coronavirus spread globally. “As some customers may choose to change or delay their travel plans at the moment, it’s important we offer them greater flexibility,” British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Brem, said in a statement.

British Airways had announced last week that it would cancel six round-trip flights from Heathrow to Singapore every other day from Mar 15, with one daily flight still maintained. It had also cut flights to Seoul and Italy.

Delta Air Lines has waived change fees for international flights booked between Mar 1 and 31, which allows customers to make a one-time change to their itinerary through Feb 2021 without having to pay a fee. However, you still have to pay the fare differences.

American Airlines has also waived change fees for bookings made between Mar 1 to 16 for any American Airlines flights. Flight changes can be made up to 14 days prior to travel.

Photos: British Airways, Pexels