American Airlines, United suspend Hong Kong flights again on coronavirus testing concerns
American Airlines and United Airlines have both suspended flights to Hong Kong again on concerns over a new coronavirus testing regime in the Chinese special administrative region.
Fort Worth, Texas-based American has postponed plans to resume its flight between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Hong Kong (HKG) until Aug. 5, spokesperson Nichelle Tait told TPG. The carrier was due to reopen the route on Thursday but cancelled that flight.
Chicago-based United has cancelled its departure, flight UA877, to Hong Kong from San Francisco (SFO) and the corresponding return flights for three days -- July 8, 9 and 10 -- spokesperson Jonathan Guerin told TPG. The airline is "assessing" the new COVID-19 testing protocol before making a decision on future flights.
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Travelers booked on American and United's cancelled flights to Hong Kong can avail themselves of both carriers' change policies. Passengers can request a refund or credit, or change their itineraries to other flights.
The service suspensions are emblematic of the operational challenges airlines face flying international routes amid varying border restrictions. Even where there are travelers who want to fly, carriers face a complex series of rules for their crewmembers who need to work flights.
One way these restrictions have changed airline operations is a return of enroute stops that allow crews to avoid an overnight in certain countries. This is the rationale Delta Air Lines cited in its decision to add a stop in Seoul (ICN) to its services between Detroit (DTW) and Seattle (SEA) and Shanghai (PVG). While passengers must remain on the plane, new group of pilots and flight attendants board in Seoul that then operates the round-trip to Shanghai without ever passing through Chinese border control.
Related: A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery
Hong Kong began requiring that all arriving travelers, including airline crewmembers, be tested for COVID-19 on July 7. A positive test could result in a mandatory 14-quarantine for crews.
American's pilots union, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), told pilots on July 8 that it had raised "concerns" over the implications of the new testing rules to airline management. The carrier's decision to suspend flights followed those discussions with the union.
Tait did not say whether American's decision to postpone resuming Hong Kong flights by a month was a result of the union's concerns.
Related: Why Delta’s return to China includes a stop in Seoul
On Thursday, the South China Morning Post reported that four airline crewmembers have tested positive for the virus under the new regime. Three of these cases were among locally-based crewmembers for Hong Kong Air Cargo.
Hong Kong, long a major aviation hub in Asia, has seen U.S. carriers steadily resume flights. United was due to reopen service to Singapore (SIN) via a stop in Hong Kong on July 7, however, the airline's website shows the first flight was cancelled.
And in September, United planned to relaunch flights between its Chicago O'Hare (ORD) base and Hong Kong after a year-long hiatus. The status of that route is unknown.
Related: United Airlines plans new Hong Kong, Tel Aviv routes from Chicago
"Although the entry protocols changed on short notice, we have successfully dealt with similar situations before," first officer Roger Philips, a spokesperson for the United chapter at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), told TPG. "ALPA and United are working together with local authorities and we expect to quickly resume this flying."
American and United first suspended flights to Hong Kong in February in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. They are the only U.S. carriers serving the airport after Delta Air Lines ended flights to the city in 2018.
Related: American drops 19 long-haul routes; cuts in LAX, adds in Seattle
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- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
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- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees