Ready, Set, Go…?

Most flights across the Atlantic have been cancelled. But one flight per day does leave from Heathrow to Chicago. The 16:05, which we are booked on. The same is true of the reverse flight. It is likely therefore that our summer holiday flights will depart as planned. This is terrific news, although I’ll come to why that is so, later.

Our travel insurance will cover us for the trip too, with no exclusions. That’s right, even if we were to succumb to the novel coronavirus, we are fully covered. The FCO have an advisory against all non essential travel worldwide in place, which normally invalidates cover. Not this time – our insurer is willing to overlook that. I guess they did the maths and figured they’d lose less money on medical expenses than they’d lose on claims for flights. Still, I was surprised.

There are still two significant barriers that could – probably will – thwart our trip. The US ban on travelers from Europe is the first, although there have been indications this might be eased. And then there is the quarantine requirement that we would face upon our return, although that is facing such a furious backlash that there is hope it might be removed.

I don’t consider it likely that our trip will go ahead. But the likelihood has increased considerably. What was an absolute non-starter a fortnight ago is now something of an outside chance. One will continue to monitor the situation. One might even soon consider applying for an ESTA just in case.

That the flights likely will go ahead is good news though, regardless of whether we are on them or not. This means we can get our money back through a claim on the travel insurance rather than seek a refund. The former can be done quickly and easily with just a £50 excess, whereas claiming a refund through the travel agent is likely to be a long drawn out ordeal costing £100 in fees per ticket.