Delta, American & United to Suspend All China Mainland Flights
The Coronavirus crisis is escalating quickly. U.S. officials late Thursday issued a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory to China, following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global public health emergency. The U.S.’s warning comes as multiple airlines have sharply curtailed or suspended flights to China.
White House officials said Tuesday they were considering a China travel ban but said then they had not contacted the airlines. But now airlines are already taking steps themselves.
Today, three major domestic airlines United Air, American Airlines and Delta, all announced plans to suspend all U.S.-China flights starting next week.
American cited the State Department’s updated travel advisory Friday in suspending its U.S.-China routes immediately through March 28. The airline said it would contact the affected customers directly to help them make alternate travel arrangements.
Delta Air Lines said it would suspend its U.S.-China flights from Feb. 6 through April 30. Delta usually operates 42 flights a week between its U.S. hubs and China. It said Friday that the last China-bound flight would depart the U.S. on Monday, and the last return flight would depart China on Wednesday.
United followed a few hours later, declaring ti will suspend all flights to mainland China from February 6 to March 28. The carrier said it would continue to operate one daily flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Learn more about this card and its features!
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.