Local airlines confirm special coronavirus policies

South Africa has not gone into lockdown but the President has asked for all non-essential travel to cease, to help limit the spread of the coronavirus domestically.

Many people are now wondering whether they will be allowed to make their internal flights. Others are choosing to cancel trips without the governments go-ahead as a precaution.

Each airline is dealing with this differently, here are their policies and how to contact them:

Kulula

Flight status:

All flights are continuing as scheduled. They will contact customers should this change.

Flight changes:

If you have made or are making a booking until 31 March, you can change the date of your booking without occurring any fees. However, a fare difference may apply and would need to be paid. This applies to travel booked until 17 May.

Refunds and cancellations: 

If you are planning to cancel your booking with kulula.com, you will be given Travel Bank Credit to the value of that flight. This can be used across the kulula.com network up to 12 months from the original date of departure.

Contact: 

If you would like to make a change you can do so online, by logging into Manage My Booking.

FlySafair

Flight status:

All flights are continuing as scheduled. They will contact customers should this change.

Flight changes: 

All changes for Premium and Standard fare passengers are free of charge.

A single penalty-free change per flight is also on offer to all basic Lite fare travellers for bookings made on or before 15 March.

Refunds and cancellations: 

Those who have booked on Premium fare can get a refund in the form of a voucher.

Other fares will still be refunded minus a R300 penalty fee per person per flight. This is only available to those who made a booking on or before 15 March.

Full refunds to a voucher are also available to travellers who purchased flights to connect to international flights.

These vouchers will be redeemable for 6 months.

Contact: 

If you are wanting to refund your ticket for a voucher you can do so through the call centre on 087 357 0030 or the Manage Booking section of their website.

You can also complete the COVID-19 Refund Application form should you want a refund or cancellation.

Mango

Flight status: 

All flights are continuing as scheduled. They will contact customers should this change.

Flight changes:

Anyone who has a booking or intends to book a flight until 30 April can change their flight. Mango is waiving change fees.

Refunds and cancellations: 

If you wish to cancel your flight, Mango is issuing vouchers to the value of the fare and all applicable taxes. These are valid for six months from the date of issue.

Contact: 

If you would like to cancel your flight, Mango asks travellers to email select details to [email protected]:

• The booking reference number
• Guest/s full name
• Date of birth
• Contact number
• Email address

South African Airways

Flight status:

All international flights are cancelled, but domestic flights are continuing as scheduled. They will contact customers should this change.

Flight changes: 

Travellers are given one free booking change on certain conditions. You must make this change by 30 April and must complete the revised flight by 28 February 2021.

Refunds and cancellations: 

South African Airways has not released any specific refund or cancellation policy relating to the coronavirus. Standard cancellation and refund policies still apply.

Contact:t 

Contact the Johannesburg SAA Customer Care Centre at Call Centre  011 978 1111 or 0861 606 606

Should you wish to query a refund, contact the refund centre directly at [email protected]

British Airways domestic

Flight status:

All flights are continuing as scheduled. They will contact customers should this change.

Flight changes:

If you have made or are making a booking until the 31 March, you can change the date of your booking without occurring any fees. However, a fare difference may apply and would need to be paid. This applies to travel booked until 17 May.

Refunds and cancellations: 

If you are planning to cancel your booking, you will be given Travel Bank Credit to the value of that flight. This can be used for up to 12 months from the original date of departure.

Contact: 

If you would like to make a change you can do so online, by logging into Manage My Booking.

SA Express

Flight status: All flights cancelled

Refunds and Cancellations: Customers are asked to call 0861 729 227

Image: Mango/Twitter

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