Many people like to vilify large corporations but I think small businesses can be equally bad.
Just before our lockdown, I went to our local neighbourhood greengrocer. Broccoli was $6 and cauliflower was $14 per head, while prices were normal at the nearby supermarket. I will remember this when choosing where to shop in the future.
At the same time, I will remember one airline whose policies were more compassionate and ethical than most others:
- Way before the mass border restrictions, Malaysia Airlines was offering flexibility for customers who had booked their flights in the weeks and months before Covid-19; all existing bookings in fact.
At that time, many airlines were offering flexibility to customers but ONLY those who had booked recently in March and also new bookings going forward. They weren’t concerned about you not wanting to travel. They were only worried about generating new cashflow, new sales in the fear that demand was drying up. - Malaysia Airlines website still states that refunds are available for customers who are unable to fly due to border restrictions. From my recent personal experience, they are still offering refunds when THEY cancel the flight due to Covid-19.
Many other airlines are cancelling flights and offering credit vouchers with no refunds. Or just playing down the possibility of refunds, or making it more difficult that pre Covid-19. British Airways was reported to have re-coded a page to hide the Refund button. Yes, times are tough and many airlines have serious cashflow issues.
Again, I’ll remember Malaysia Airlines when choosing who to fly with in the future. The sad part is the former Skytrax Five Star Airline, which became the world’s laughing stock, will be consigned to history books in the near future.
There are other airlines too who have taken a more honourable approach. Eg. Qatar Airways offers 10% on top of the ticket value if one chooses a credit rather than a refund. Aer Lingus has a similar offer. So much more ethical than re-coding the web page to hide the Refund button!
Best of luck to Malaysia Airlines staff, all airline staff and everyone out there whose jobs are at risk (or already gone).