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fare: British Airways (BA) ISPM0V2R LON to SOF

• Booking class: I
• Price: from £211 (£150 base fare + taxes & surcharges).
• Day/time restrictions: -/-
• Advanced reservation/ticketing restrictions: -/-
• Minimum stay: until the first Sunday after departure.
• Maximum stay: -/-
• Stopovers: not permitted.
• Cancellations: ticket is non-refundable.
• Changes: charge £100 for reissue/revalidation.

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You can expect possible delays on May 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 25, 26 & 27, and the First Wing Security is likely closed, like during the previous strike period.

British Airways (the airline at Terminal 5) is sending out the following email to passengers:

Your upcoming trip is almost here and we can’t wait to welcome you on board. We’re sorry to say that Heathrow Airport has informed us that its security staff will be taking part in industrial action when you are due to travel but don’t worry, we’re working closely with them to help ensure you travel as planned.

Please follow these top tips to make everyone’s journey through the airport smoother.

1. Check in online from 24 hours before your flight departs. You can download the British Airways app to get your digital boarding pass and go straight to the self-serve bag drop desks, if you have checked baggage. Learn more.

2. Double-check your baggage allowance and don’t forget to leave some room in your case for all those souvenirs and shopping. See what you can take on your flight here.

3. Please take as few items of hand baggage as you can. During this busy travel period you can check in your hand baggage free of charge.

4. Plan to arrive at the airport in good time. Three hours ahead of a long-haul flight and two hours ahead of a short-haul flight, but not before this.

Conclusion

There were minimal disruptions during the last strike period when the airport could find alternate staff to fill the positions adequately.

The First Wing was open during the previous strike, but the First Wing security was not. So you can check in there, but then you need to go through the usual security.

I am going to London this week and will take Eurostar out on Monday.

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in case you missed it!

Flight Review: British Airways B787-9 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy BA 73 LHR-AUH)

fare: British Airways (BA) OLX8C1P4 LON to NYC

• Booking class: T
• Price: from £745 (£445 base fare + taxes & surcharges).
• Day/time restrictions: from United Kingdom permitted MON through WED; to United Kingdom permitted MON through THU.
• Advanced reservation/ticketing restrictions: reservations required at least 14 days before departure.
• Minimum stay: until the first Sunday after arrival at turnaround.
• Maximum stay: 12 months.
• Stopovers: 1 free stopover permitted.
• Cancellations: ticket is non-refundable.
• Changes: charge £50 for reissue/revalidation.

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British Airways has extended the validity of these a few times, and they were set to expire on September 30, 2023, but the expiry has been pushed out by another 12 months through September 30, 2024.

You can access BA’s page for eVouchers here.

There are some restrictions to eVoucher usage, such as it must be used in the same currency it was issued (it could be a problem if the origin changes), and some originating countries require you to call in case of voucher use.

The travel also must be completed by the eVouchers expiry date.

Also, the eVoucher can be used towards travel by anyone, not just the person to whom it was issued, but the booking must be made a minimum of four days before the travel in that instance.

Conclusion

This is welcome news for those with unused British Airways eVouchers sitting in their accounts.

You have to remember that BA was pushing these vouchers forcefully, even for those that would have been eligible for cash refunds during the pandemic, so it is not entirely a favor.

Terms and conditions of eVouchers:

1. Your eVoucher is personal to you and not for resale. Sale, auction or retendering of an eVoucher for money or otherwise are strictly prohibited. You may make a booking on behalf of someone else using your eVoucher. However, any third party using your eVoucher must book at least four days before departure.
2. You can use eVouchers to purchase British Airways flight tickets on ba.com. You cannot use eVouchers to purchase tickets using Avios, On Business points or group bookings.
3. You cannot use an eVoucher towards British Airways Holiday bookings online or other products, such as seats.
4. You can use up to four eVouchers of the same currency per flight booking.
5. You cannot combine an eVoucher you applied for with any eVoucher issued by our Customer Relations team.
6. If you only use part of an eVoucher, we’ll issue the remaining credit as a new eVoucher to the recipient as selected on the payment page.We’ll issue this eVoucher in the same currency as your new booking. By agreeing to these eVoucher Terms and Conditions, you agree that we’re authorised to issue any remaining eVoucher credit to the recipient as selected on the payment page
7. An eVoucher is valid until the expiry date shown and cannot be renewed or exchanged for cash. All flights booked using eVouchers issued following an application must conclude by 30 September 2024.
8. If you cancel a booking made using an eVoucher you applied for, any refund will be issued in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage and the relevant fare rules. Where you cancel the booking and a refund is due, the amount paid for using the eVoucher will be issued under a new eVoucher. If we cancel your flight, you will be entitled to a full refund of your booking.
9. If you cancel a booking made using an eVoucher issued by our Customer Relations team or we cancel your flight and you’re eligible for a refund in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage and the relevant fare rules, the amount paid for using the eVoucher will be issued as a new eVoucher.

Frequently asked questions about eVouchers:

When does the eVoucher expire?

The voucher expires on 30 September 2024.

You can use an eVoucher to pay or part-pay for a new booking. Any trip booked using your eVoucher must conclude – departure and return – by 30 September 2024.

What happens if you paid extra for seating or baggage?

Your eVoucher value includes the cost of any extras such as seating, baggage and meal purchases.

What can you pay for with an eVoucher?

You can use an eVoucher to pay for flights. You can’t currently use it to pay for a BA Holidays booking online or extras, such as seating or baggage.

If you wish to redeem your eVoucher for a BA Holiday booking, please contact us.

Can you use an eVoucher on any route?

Yes, you can use an eVoucher on any British Airways marketed route with a BA flight number, apart from bookings on Sun-Air.

What do you need to use an eVoucher?

You’ll need the eVoucher number as well as the registered surname and email address. You can find these details in your eVoucher email.

Does the booking have to be made in your name?

No, eVoucher holders don’t need to travel on a booking made using their eVoucher. Although for security reasons, bookings made within four days of departure must include all eVoucher holders.

Can you redeem multiple eVouchers on a booking?

Yes, you can apply up to four eVouchers per booking.

However, eVouchers issued directly from our Customer Relations team can’t be combined with any other eVoucher.

Can you combine eVouchers that are in different currencies?

You can’t currently combine eVouchers issued in different currencies.

What happens if you book a flight that’s cheaper than the value of an eVoucher?

We’ll issue a new eVoucher covering the difference. You’ll see this new eVoucher value before you pay for a booking, where you’ll also be able to choose who receives it.

The new eVoucher recipient can be any passenger on the new booking and will be issued to their chosen email address.

The new eVoucher will be valid for travel (to be completed) by 30 September 2024.

What happens if you book a flight that’s more expensive than the value of the eVoucher?

You’ll need to pay any difference if the new fare is more expensive.

Will the eVoucher have any new booking restrictions?

Flights booked using eVouchers will be subject to the new booking’s regular Terms and Conditions, and the new booking will also be subject to the relevant policy Terms and Conditions.

Are there any countries where you can’t use an eVoucher?

You can book journeys using your eVoucher to and from most countries we’re currently serving on ba.com. Although there are a few exceptions where you’ll need to get in touch with us to book.

Please call us to use your eVoucher if your journey begins in any of these countries:

Algeria Andorra Aruba Bahrain Botswana Burundi Comoros Djibouti Egypt Falkland Islands Iran Ivory Coast Jordan

Kuwait Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nepal New Guinea Netherlands Antilles Oman Pakistan Qatar Republic of Korea

Saint Helena Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles Slovakia Sri Lanka Suriname Syria Taiwan Thailand Tunisia Yemen

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fare: American (AA) INX9C1S4 BCN to SFO

• Booking class: I
• Price: from 1,708€ (1,584€ base fare + taxes & surcharges).
• Day/time restrictions: permitted MON/TUE/WED/SUN on each transatlantic sector.
• Advanced reservation/ticketing restrictions: reservations required at least 120 days before departure. Ticketing must be completed within 3 days after reservations are made.
• Minimum stay: until the first Sunday after arrival at turnaround.
• Maximum stay: 12 months.
• Stopovers: unlimited stopovers permitted in Europe at 150€ each.
• Cancellations: ticket is non-refundable.
• Changes: charge 200€ for reissue/revalidation.

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These Avios-Only flights are BA’s inaugural service from Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt and select flights from Heathrow to Geneva in February and March 2024.

You can access BA here.

BA’s Avios Pricing On These Flights:

Note that I have highlighted the most reasonable option for each.

LONDON GATWICK TO SHARM EL SHEIKH (OFF-PEAK)

Euro Traveller (economy) return:

• £1 + 27,500 Avios
• £9 + 26,000 Avios
• £25 + 23,500 Avios
• £35 + 18,500 Avios
• £91 + 12,500 Avios
• £121 + 8,500 Avios

Club Europe (business class) return:

• £1 + 48,500 Avios
• £9 + 47,000 Avios
• £35 + 38,500 Avios
• £50 _35,500 Avios
• £95 + 26,500 Avios
• £141 + 19,500 Avios

LONDON HEATHROW TO GENEVA (OFF-PEAK)

Euro Traveller (economy) return:

• £1 + 18,500 Avios
• £9 + 17,000 Avios
• £18 + 14,500 Avios
• £35 + 9,500 Avios
• £65 + 7,400 Avios
• £85 + 5,900 Avios

Club Europe (business class) return:

• £1 + 30,000 Avios
• £9 + 28,500 Avios
• £25 + 23,500 Avios
• £50 + 17,000 Avios
• £85 + 13,000 Avios
• £125 + 10,500 Avios

BA’s Press Release:

BRITISH AIRWAYS LAUNCHES AVIOS-ONLY FLIGHTS, OFFERING EVEN MORE REWARD SEATS

• In a first for the airline, British Airways has launched flights that are made up exclusively of Reward Seats for Executive Club Members
• The first Avios-Only flight will be the inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh in November 2023
• Four flights from London Heathrow to Geneva will follow in February and March 2024, with more routes to be announced throughout 2023
• All flights are available to book from today

Thursday 13 April 2023 – British Airways has launched its first Avios-Only flights, on which 100% of the seats are exclusively available to Executive Club Members as Reward Seats.

The first Avios-Only flight will be the inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh on 3 November 2023, followed by a selection of flights from London Heathrow to Geneva in February and March 2024. More routes will be announced throughout 2023

Return flights to Sharm El Sheikh will be from as little as £1 + 27,500 Avios per person, with an option to reduce this even further with a Companion Voucher. Club Europe (business class) fares start from £1 + 48,500 Avios. The Egyptian holiday hotspot recently became the latest addition to the network of British Airways’ London Gatwick-based subsidiary, BA Euroflyer.

Following this, the next Avios-Only flights will be the BA728 from London Heathrow to Geneva on the dates below. Flights will be from £1 + 18,500 Avios per person, with options from £1 + 30,000 Avios in Club Europe. The respective BA729 return flights will operate as Avios-Only flights a week later.

• 10 February 2024
• 17 February 2024
• 24 February 2024
• 02 March 2024

Reward Seats are those that can be purchased using Avios at static rates. British Airways guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 Reward Seats on short and long-haul flights respectively, and this will be the first flight with every seat available to purchase using Avios. Members booking the Avios-Only flight can do so in any cabin as they normally would through ba.com, with a selection of return options available as Reward Seats.

Ian Romanis said: “We are always looking for new ways to reward our loyal customers and offer value wherever we can, which is why we are excited about this brand-new option for Members. Sharm El Sheikh and Geneva will be the first of several flights as we roll more out in 2024.”

Tom Stoddart, BA Euroflyer’s CEO, said: “We are proud to be operating British Airways’ first Avios-Only flight. BA Euroflyer is the only short-haul carrier based at Gatwick to offer a loyalty programme, and now we’re offering more value and choice than ever for our Members.”

The new Sharm El Sheikh route will be operated by BA Euroflyer three times per week throughout the winter season, with a fourth service on Saturdays until 15 December 2023.

Conclusion

BA’s Avios makes the most sense for short-haul flights in economy and business, where taxes/fees are capped at a reasonable level. However, the taxes and FEES on long-haul BA services in premium cabins, especially from BA accounts based in the US, are eye-wateringly high.

You should NOT choose the maximum Avios amount with a 1 GBP fee unless you have more Avios to burn than you can ever use.

Norra is essentially a regional airline that is 40% owned by Finnair and pretty much operates the domestic feeder network from smaller airports and many destinations in Northern Europe, including Tallinn, that doesn’t see a single flight operated by Finnair itself.

Finnair (Norra) Helsinki – Tallinn Award Availability Using Alaska Airlines Miles:

Finnair (Norra) Helsinki – Tallinn Award Availability Using American Airlines Miles:

Finnair (Norra) Helsinki – Tallinn Award Availability Using British Airways Avios:

The website claims that BA and none of its partners operate the route, which is incorrect.

And even BA certainly knows it because it has placed its code on many if not all, Finnair flights between Helsinki and Tallinn that are operated by Norra + likely on other routes too.

Conclusion

It is pure sloppiness at BA’s end not to load these correctly. Finnair has made the awards on Norra flights available alliance wide and to other partners.

BA also sells these Finnair flights operated by Norra and must be correctly crediting the Avios for them.

Yes. I could use miles from my Finnair Plus, American Airlines AAdvantage, or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts, but my priority is to try to burn from my 500K+ BA Avios stash, as I have found these to be the least worthwhile of these four miles currencies (partners, pricing & online booking capability).

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fare: British Airways (BA) ANX1C8S4 STO to MIA

• Booking class: A (LHR-MIA)/J (ARN-LHR)
• Price: from 2,485€ (2,327€ base fare + taxes & surcharges).
• Day/time restrictions: from Sweden permitted MON through WED; to Sweden permitted TUE through FRI.
• Advanced reservation/ticketing restrictions: reservations required at least 180 days before departure. Ticketing must be completed within 3 days after reservations are made.
• Minimum stay: 6 days or until the first Sunday after arrival at turnaround.
• Maximum stay: 12 months.
• Stopovers: unlimited stopovers permitted in Europe at 150€ each.
• Cancellations: ticket is non-refundable.
• Changes: changes permitted for reissue/revalidation.

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For a long time, the airport and British Airways pretended that the business would be as usual, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. The fast track and the First Wing security at Terminal 5 are closed, and premium passengers are told to use regular security lines. In addition, British Airways has canceled many morning short-haul flights and several long-haul ones to the United States.

The airport has instructed airlines to cut the number of scheduled flights slightly and not to sell more tickets for the next few days.

Many short-haul flights set to depart between 6 AM and 7 AM were canceled, and several long-haul flights are already canceled for later in the day, affecting thousands of passengers, include Los Angeles (BA283), Seattle (BA53), Miami (BA207), Chicago (BA295), Washington DC (BA293), and New York (BA183).

There can be more delays and cancellations as the day progresses.

Heathrow Airport Announcement:

Unite has confirmed a strike among two groups of Heathrow security officers for 31 March – 9 April. The airport will remain open and operational but the strikes may affect the journeys of some passengers planning to travel during this period. You can check the status of your flight with your airline for the latest information.

On strike days, passengers will only be allowed to travel through security with two items of hand baggage (carry-on baggage). Handbags and laptop bags count as a piece of hand baggage. Your allowances for checked-in luggage remain as advertised by your airline.

We expect the airport to be busy during this period and will have additional ‘Here to Help’ teams available to assist passengers. While in the terminals, if you need assistance, please speak to a colleague.  Please bear with our teams as they work hard to get you on your way during this busy travel period.

Our advice to help keep the airport flowing is:

• Check your flight details and status with your airline before travelling to the airport
• Arrive no earlier than two hours before short haul flights, and three hours for long haul
• Make sure your hand luggage is security ready – liquids in a separate, sealed see-through bag (max. size 100ml), remove large electricals and place in a separate tray

Heathrow Airport and airlines ask passengers to have fewer carryons during the strike period, and passengers on fares that don’t include checked bag(s) should confirm with their airline if checked luggage fees have been waived.

Conclusion

BA pretended for too long that this strike wouldn’t affect its operations, and here we are.

Thousands of passengers have been affected by the last-minute cancellations this morning that the airline could have allowed to fly earlier, extend their trips or reroute their flights before.

It is unclear if the airline can re-accommodate all passengers on these canceled flights on other services, but I doubt it, considering how badly British Airways tends to handle any irregular operations.

Good luck to anyone scheduled to fly on BA to/from/through Heathrow Terminal 5 over the next 10 days. It will be a rough ride.

Instead of champagne from France, you might be poured some English sparkling that has been “carefully selected” by BA’s “Master of Wine,” who must adhere to very low cellar door pricing (recently first class wines were not allowed to cost more than 6 euros per bottle – read more here).

You can access BA here.

British Airways Announcement:

BRITISH AIRWAYS ADDS A TOUCH OF SPARKLE TO ITS CLUB WORLD CABIN WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW ENGLISH WINES

British Airways has introduced award-winning English Sparkling wines in its Club World (business) cabin so customers can enjoy the ‘best of British’ bubbles at 35,000ft.

• British Airways is introducing award-winning English Sparkling wines in its Club World (business class) cabin for the first time
• The airline is championing British provenance by working with four local wine producers from across England
• The four English Sparkling wine options have been carefully selected by the airline’s Master of Wine and will be available on a rotational basis until next March, changing every three months
• The first wine to feature on the airline’s menu is the Digby Fine English Brut NV, now available on board

Monday 27 March: British Airways has introduced award-winning English Sparkling wines in its Club World (business class) cabin so customers can enjoy the ‘best of British’ bubbles at 35,000ft.

The airline’s Master of Wine has worked carefully with several award-winning wineries to source, taste and select a range of English Sparkling wines for customers to sample in the comfort of their seat. The introduction of four English Sparkling wines in Club World will be a first for the airline, previously only available in the airline’s First cabin with Hattingley Valley from Hampshire.

The four English Sparkling wine options will be available on a rotational basis, changing every three months. This means that customers will be able to choose from two sparkling options when travelling in Club World, including the current Champagne resident Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne, and now an exclusive English Sparkling wine option.

The first English Sparkling wine will be the Digby Fine English Brut NV, which has over three years’ maturation, giving it great complexity and finesse for customers to savour. This wine pairs well with delicate dishes on the airline’s Club World menu, such as the grilled cod with sweet potato mousseline, mozzarella mezzaluna or an after-dinner selection of cheeses.

From July, the airline will serve the Balfour Rosé de Noirs, grown on the Balfour Hush Heath Estate in Kent, and made only from red grapes. This lighter rosé sparkling wine is an exclusive blend for British Airways, making it only available at 35,000ft for customers in the airline’s Club World cabin.

Later in the year, Simpsons Chalklands Cuvee Brut NV, from Kent will be available from October for three months. This epitomises English elegance and is pale gold in colour, with delicate notes of crisp green apple. Finally, Wiston Estate Brut NV from the South Downs, is refreshing in flavour, with citrus and toasty notes and available for customers to try in the airline’s Club World cabin from January 2024.

British Airways’ Director of Onboard Experience, Sajida Ismail, said: “We know English Sparkling wines have attracted international acclaim over the years and are only growing in popularity, so we’re really excited to offer our customers English Sparkling wines in our Club World cabin.

“We’re really proud to work with four of the very best wine producers across England to celebrate British provenance and bring exclusive sparkling options for customers to try for themselves on board.”

The airline continues to spotlight a destination through its premium wine selection, celebrating a different destination in its network each quarter. In April, the airline will spotlight wines from the regions surrounding the city of Porto, Portugal, in its Club World and First cabins, including Anselmo Mendes’ Muros Antigos Loureiro Vinho Verde and Casa Ferreirinha’s Callabriga Douro.

Elsewhere, British Airways continues to elevate its drinks portfolio with the launch of Whispering Angel Provence Rosé and The Pale, curated from the same Château d’Esclans vineyards. Customers can enjoy these varieties across its lounges at London Heathrow and London Gatwick.

Conclusion

I first thought it must be April Fools Day, but the press release is dated March 27, 2023.

But seriously, I don’t see any issues introducing locally produced bubbles as long as BA ensures that those are soon NOT the only option available for long-haul business class passengers.

I made a few searches on these wine names, and it seems that they are not the cheapest sparkling wines available but are actually rather pricey.

Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 employees screening originating and transit passengers and their luggage are set to go on strike, also affecting cargo operations and likely catering.

Note that these strikes are often called off at the last minute if negotiations advance or parties can reach a deal.

British Airways, which uses Terminal 5, has not made any announcements yet, but they have zeroed out most, if not all, flights from March 31 – April 2, 2023. It is unclear if all Terminal 5 flights will go out as scheduled or if this is just a measurement to ensure some space is available if some rotations are canceled.

It is also unclear if BA can adequately cater all the flights because cargo operations are also affected.

Conclusion

It will be an utter mess if the strike at the Terminal 5 goes forward on Friday, and there have been no announcements by British Airways or Heathrow Airport.

Wouldn’t it be sound to advise passengers scheduled to travel through Terminal 5 during the strike period to make alternate plans in case their flights are canceled or there are operational meltdowns regarding screening passengers and their luggage?

If you are ticketed to travel utilizing Terminal 5 during the Easter period and if the strike goes forward, you should monitor your itinerary for any changes.

Based on my personal experiences, getting hold of anyone at BA will be nearly impossible if there are widespread irregular operations and nobody at the airport (this is ridiculous) can do ticketing.

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IN CASSE YOU MISSED IT!

Flight Review: British Airways B787-9 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy BA 73 LHR-AUH)

fare: American (AA) OLX8C1P4 LON to NYC

• Booking class: P
• Price: from £670 (£401 base fare + taxes & surcharges).
• Day/time restrictions: -/-
• Advanced reservation/ticketing restrictions: reservations required at least 28 days before departure.
• Minimum stay: until the first Saturday after arrival at turnaround (minimum 24 hours)
• Maximum stay: 12 months.
• Stopovers: 1 free stopover permitted.
• Cancellations: ticket is non-refundable in case of cancel/no-show/refund.
• Changes: charge £50.00 for reissue/revalidation.

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fare: British Airways (BA) ALX4T1S4 LON to PDX

• Booking class: A/J
• Price: from £2,043 (£1,966 base fare + taxes & surcharges).
• Day/time restrictions: outbound permitted TUE/WED/THU for each transatlantic sector; inbound permitted MON/TUE/WED for each transatlantic sector.
• Advanced reservation/ticketing restrictions: reservations required at least 14 days before departure.
• Minimum stay: until the first Sunday after arrival at turnaround.
• Maximum stay: 12 months.
• Stopovers: not permitted.
• Cancellations: charge £150.00 for cancel/refund.
• Changes: charge £300.00 for reissue/revalidation.

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This fare can be booked on Crystal Travel:

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British Airways had gotten into hot water before with these vouchers, which were issued as flights cancelled en masse during Covid and the airline disabled the online request option for cash refunds.

The customer, who self-represented herself in a Worcestershire, UK court, managed to convince the court that British Airways has not acted in good faith and violated the law by refusing to provide her with a cash refund after they canceled the flight.

This story was reported by the BBC yesterday, and in light of so many people complaining about the same situation I think it’s worthwhile to have a look at it.

In January 2020, Jennie Barber booked two return flights to Japan departing that May, but the flights were later pulled due to Covid restrictions.

BA offered a refund in the form of travel vouchers but Ms Barber wanted her money back. The airline refused.

Representing herself, Ms Barber took BA to court and won a full refund.

“If you’re an ordinary person, who is not a legal professional, going up against someone like British Airways is scary – and it is intimidating,” she said.

However, Ms Barber, who studied A-level law, was able to beat the airline giant in court using the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943.

Ms Barber said she had requested the vouchers – in effect store credit to the value of her flights – in March 2020, after Japan closed its borders to foreign travellers during the first wave of the pandemic.

Her frustration began, she explained, when her preferred destination of Japan did not reopen its borders to visitors as quickly as other nations. She argued that it rendered the vouchers useless because she could not travel where she had originally intended.

By December 2020, with Japan’s borders still closed, she raised the issue with BA and requested a cash refund, but her request was denied.

The Birmingham resident told the BBC she spent approximately 12 months – most of 2021 – trying to persuade BA to reconsider her request. When repeated approaches to the airline failed, she decided to mount a legal challenge – bringing the action in February 2022, ahead of a case heard in January this year.