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Check which airlines have waived change fees due to coronavirus
You could be eligible for a free change or refund if you booked an upcoming flight.
We’ll update this post as new announcements are made.
Several major airlines have adjusted flight schedules in light of recent coronavirus outbreaks. Some are also offering rescheduling flexibility due to the situation. In fact, American Airlines and United both permanently eliminated change fees on most domestic and short-haul international flights to destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean. If you booked a flight to an affected region, you may be able to make a change free of charge.
Before you make travel plans, or if you have an upcoming flight booked, check which airlines have canceled routes or updated their change policies.| Airline | Updated change policy | Date updated | More info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | You can make a one-time change without a fee for all new or existing bookings made through February 28, 2021 for original travel between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2022. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Air France | As part of the Air France Protect measures, all Air France tickets are currently fully flexible or refundable at no extra fee and without justification, for travel scheduled before 31 December 2021. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Alaska Airlines | Change fees waived/ refunds given depending on fare type for flights booked on or before Feb. 27 to April 30 2021 for future travel. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| American Airlines | Your change fee is waived if you: Booked an American Airlines flight Bought your ticket by before April 1, 2021 Are scheduled to travel Are scheduled to travel April 1 - 30, 2021 | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| British Airways | For bookings made from 3 March 2020 onwards for journeys that are due to have been completed by 30 April 2022, and for bookings made prior to 3 March 2020 for journeys due to have started by 28 February 2021, go to Manage My Booking to change your dates. Booking fee is waived so you will not be charged, although you will need to pay any difference in fare. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Cathay Pacific | Cancel for free on flights booked between March 9 2020 and June 30 2021, you can change your booking unlimited times with no rebooking or rerouting fees until December 31 2021. Travel date is extended to June 30 2022, so you can travel when it suit you best. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Delta | Change fees are wived and Award redeposit fees providing greater flexibility to travel using eCredits through December 31, 2022, for customers who purchased their ticket before April 17, 2020, and are scheduled to travel through March 31, 2021. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Frontier | Change and cancel fees are waived for bookings made through March 31, 2021. Terms and conditions apply. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Hawaiian Airlines | By canceling your ticket, you will not be charged a cancellation fee and the unused value of the ticket may be applied towards the purchase of a new ticket until the ticket expires. Tickets purchased before March 1, 2020 with travel dates between March 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2021 are valid through May 31, 2022 and tickets purchased between March 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020 are valid for two years from the original ticket purchase date. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| JetBlue | All fares booked through 5/31/21 will still enjoy no change or cancel fees. See terms andn conditions. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Southwest | Southwest does not charge fees to change or cancel flights, although applicable fare differences may apply. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Spirit | Changes can be made up to an hour before scheduled departure. If a Guest cancels a reservation within 24 hours or less from booking, for a flight that is seven or more days away, they are eligible for a full refund in the original form of payment. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Sun Country | Guests looking to cancel their flight can do so online using MyTrips and receive a flight credit to use toward future travel. Flight credits expire one year from the date the original itinerary was booked and can be used towards travel beyond the date of expiration. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Turkish Airlines | Flexible Travel opportunities are offered until March 31, 2022 (inclusive), for tickets bought until December 31, 2021 (inclusive) | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Qantas | Cancelled Qantas flight will be rebooked to the next available Qantas flight to your booked destination at no additional cost to you. Alternatively, you can choose a flight credit or a refund. You won’t be charged any change or cancellation fees. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| United Airlines | Most Economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean, change fees are permanently waived. There also won't be change fees for other international travel originating in the U.S. For all other standard Economy and premium cabin tickets, change fees are waived through May 31, 2021. For Basic Economy tickets, change fees are waived through April 30, 2021. See terms and conditions | 4/9/2021 | More info |
| Virgin Atlantic | For all customers that take advantage of Flexible No Change fees policy, change fees for up to two changes to your booking will be waived. | 4/9/2021 | More info |
Other steps airlines have taken
Major airlines including American, United and Delta have implemented stricter cleaning practices and standards in light of the coronavirus. Delta recently announced a fogging procedure that disinfects surface areas in its aircraft. The airline noted it uses a “safe, high-grade EPA-registered disinfectant that is highly effective against many communicable diseases, including coronaviruses.”
Airlines like Southwest, Jet Blue and others have enhanced their cleaning procedures with measures like regular deep cleans and daily wipe-downs of hard surfaces like armrests and tray tables.
Most airlines also require passengers to wear face masks.
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