Delta Air Lines joined United and American Airlines on Friday in halting all service to and from mainland China just as the spread of the new coronavirus outbreak prompted the U.S. to impose still stricter restrictions on travelers from the People’s Republic. Delta has suspended all U.S.-to-China flying beginning February 6 through April 30. The airline said it would continue to operate flights until February 5 to ensure customers wanting to exit China can do so.
The last China-bound flight departing the U.S. leaves Monday and the last return flight back to the U.S. departs China on February 5.
United Airlines on January 31 suspended operations between its hub cities and Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai beginning February 6 until March 28. The Chicago-based airline said it would continue to operate select flights until Thursday to ensure options for its U.S. based employees and customers to return home. United added it would continue to operate one daily flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong.
American Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to suspend China service on Friday in reaction to the U.S. Department of State’s recent increase of the China Travel Advisory to a Level 4 (Do Not Travel). American has scheduled its suspension to and from the Chinese mainland to last through March 27. The airline said it would continue to evaluate the schedule “for March 28 and beyond” and make any needed adjustments.
The move by American effectively settles a lawsuit brought by the Allied Pilots Association Thursday against the company in an effort to immediately halt all scheduled flights between the U.S. and mainland China. The Allied Pilot Association issued a statement Thursday citing “serious, and in many ways still unknown, health threats posed by the coronavirus.” American Airlines has already suspended two routes—between Los Angeles and Shanghai and Los Angeles and Beijing—from between February 9 and March 27. The union directed all crewmembers to decline any assignments between the two countries.
Before the complete suspension, American operated some 56 monthly flights between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and airports in China.