Here are airlines waiving fees for canceling, changing flights because of coronavirus
With coronavirus spreading to every continent save Antarctica, travelers are turning to airlines for last-minute cancellations and changes.
Air travel can exacerbate the spread of an outbreak such as coronavirus — also known as COVID-19, CNN reported, citing Dr. Yoko Furuya, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
According to Fox, airlines are making exceptions for distressed travelers by offering flight waivers or allowing them to rebook or cancel without extra fees.
Here’s a roundup of U.S. airlines suspending cancellation and change fees during the coronavirus outbreak
Alaska Airlines: The airline announced Feb. 27 it would suspend change and cancellation fees on new bookings. Anyone who books a flight before March 12 and decides to change or cancel the trip will receive full travel credit for another flight up to a year after it’s issued, the airline said in a news release.
The policy extends to saver fairs not usually eligible for changes or cancellations.
“We understand that information about the coronavirus is creating confusion and anxiety for some. Our first goal is to keep our guests safe, and offer peace of mind when it comes to flying with us,” Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in the release.
American Airlines: The airline waived its change fee on flights booked between March 1 and March 16, but any changes must be made at least 14 days before the departure date.
Change fees for flights at a later date to or from certain destinations in China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Italy can also be waived, according to the airline’s latest travel alert.
But they are subject to certain criteria depending on the destination.
Delta: The airline responded to coronavirus concerns on Feb. 26, suspending all flights between the U.S. and Shanghai and Beijing in China, and limiting service to South Korea.
“We have adjusted travel schedules, waived change fees for affected destinations and are working with customers to adjust travel plans, using relationships with other airlines when needed,” the airline said in its announcement.
Change fees have been waived for flights to Shanghai and Beijing, and Seoul, South Korea, through April 30. The same applies to all locations in Italy through March 15.
JetBlue: The airline suspended change fees for new flight bookings starting Feb. 27 until March 11 for travel on or before June 1, according to a news release.
“While authorities have not issued any travel restrictions to the locations we fly, we want to give our customers some peace of mind that we are ready to support them should the situation change,” Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer, said in the release.
The airline is offering a full travel credit for cancellations and the option to “apply the full amount from their original booking to a different itinerary,” according to the release.
United: The airline canceled all flights to Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Shanghai through April 30, according to a travel notice updated Friday.
Some service to Tokyo Narita, Osaka, Singapore and Seoul has also been suspended. In the meantime, the airline is waiving change fees and offering refunds on flights to select locations.
Travel waivers are in place for cities in China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Northern Italy.
This story was originally published February 28, 2020 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Here are airlines waiving fees for canceling, changing flights because of coronavirus."
