Delta has made the decision to accelerate its plan to temporarily suspend flights between the U.S. and China to Feb. 2 following updated U.S. Health and Human Services screening protocols that will go into effect on Feb. 2. The last China-bound flight departing the U.S. will leave on Saturday, Feb. 1 with the last return flight back to the U.S. departing China on Feb. 2.

The airline had previously announced a plan to suspend operations effective Feb. 6 but advanced that timeline based on new U.S. requirements that will deny entry to foreign nationals who have traveled to China within the past two weeks, or subject to possible quarantine those U.S. citizens who have been in China’s Hubei province.

Delta’s first priority is to assist its customers and take care of its crews. The airline is working with customers to make adjustments to their travel plans, leveraging codeshare partners where appropriate.

Customers with affected travel plans can go to the My Trips section of delta.com to help them understand their options, including:

• Reaccommodation to flights after April 30
• Reaccommodation on alternate airlines
• Requesting a refund
• Contacting Delta to discuss additional options. 

Delta expects flights between the U.S. and China to remain suspended through April 30, though the airline will continue to monitor the situation closely and may make additional adjustments as the situation continues to evolve.

For Travel Agents:

Once the schedule is loaded, travel agents will receive notification via a queued message regarding any affected PNRs. Tickets may also be refunded per Delta’s normal schedule change procedures. Please click here to read Delta’s Schedule Change Process.  If travel agents need immediate assistance or any further questions they can reach out to Delta Global Sales Support. 

Note: Prior to canceling the DL flight segments in the PNR, please add the following OSI message: 

OSI DL REFUNDED PER UNACCEPTABLE SKED CHG/ DATE (impacted flight date). 

If the PNR is already canceled and you are unable to add the OSI message, you may still submit the refund through your ARC or BSP report.Updated

Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. ET

Delta continues to work with U.S. Government agencies to understand, and adhere to, travel restrictions announced by U.S. Health and Human Services in response to Coronavirus  effective Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. ET.

The restrictions could affect entry into the U.S. for foreign nationals who have traveled to China within the past two weeks, or could subject US citizens and certain individuals to potential routing changes and possible quarantine if they have been in China.

Here are additional facts customers need to know before heading to the airport:

• Customers traveling to the U.S. from any country – not only China – are subject to these travel restrictions.
• Customers departing the US who have been in China within the past two weeks should check with the government of the country to which they are traveling, and IATA, to ensure they will be allowed entry.
  • Foreign nationals who have been in China within the past two weeks departing the US and who are denied entry to the country of destination will not be permitted back into the U.S. as of 5 p.m. ET, on Sunday, Feb. 2.