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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 February 28, 2022. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Air France | For all flights until 31 March 2021 included: You can change the date and/or destination of your ticket, regardless of the fare conditions, up to the day of departure of your first flight. If the price of the new ticket is higher, you will have to pay the fare difference. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Alaska Airlines | Change fees waived/ refunds given depending on fare type for flights booked on or before Feb. 27 to March 31 2021 for future travel. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| American Airlines | Your change fee is waived if you: Are traveling on an American Airlines flight Are booked in any fare class, including Basic Economy Bought your ticket by January 5, 2021 Are scheduled to travel December 2, 2020 - January 27, 2021 Can travel December 2, 2020 - January 27, 2021 Change your origin or destination city to Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL), Kahului / Maui, Hawaii (OGG), or Kona, Hawaii (KOA) Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| British Airways | You can claim a voucher to the value of your booking, valid for travel until 30 April 2022, if: You booked prior to 3 March 2020 for travel due to have started by 28 February 2021 You booked from 3 March 2020 onwards for travel due to be completed by 31 August 2021 | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Cathay Pacific | Cancel for free on flights booked between March 9 2020 and March 31 2021, you can change your booking unlimited times with no rebooking or rerouting fees. Travel date is extended to 31 December 2021, so you can travel when it suit you best. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Delta | Book confidently with no change fees or Award redeposit fees for all Delta flights purchased March 2020 through March 30 2021 | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Frontier | Change and cancel fees are waived for bookings made through February 28, 2021. Terms and conditions apply. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Tickets (including award flights) purchased before March 1, 2020 with travel dates between March 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2021: No change fees for rebooked travel that begins on or before May 31, 2022. Please note that a fare difference may apply for each change that is made. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| JetBlue | Change/cancel fees are waived for customers with existing bookings made through March 31, 2021. If you choose to rebook, you can do so on any flight through the end of our schedule. Fare difference may apply. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Southwest | Southwest does not charge fees to change or cancel flights, although applicable fare differences may apply. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Spirit | Change and cancellation fees are waived for guests who book travel by Sunday, February 28 2021. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Sun Country | Change Fee Waiver allows the one-time modification of your booking at least one hour in advance of the first scheduled flight on the booking without incurring any change fees. Customers are responsible for any difference in airfare and optional services for the alternate flight(s) or date(s), as well as any difference in government taxes and fees. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Turkish Airlines | Flexible Travel opportunities are offered until December 31, 2021 (inclusive), for tickets bought until March 31, 2021 (inclusive) | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| Qantas | Travel on a Qantas flight before 31 March 2021, and wish to change plans can cancel booking and retain the full value as a flight credit. Flight credits can be used for bookings and travel until 31 December 2022. | 2/9/2021 | More info |
| United Airlines | You can change Basic Economy and all other international travel without change fees if the ticket is issued by March 31, 2021. | 2/9/2021 | 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. | 2/9/2021 | 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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