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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. If you booked a flight to an affected region, you may be able to make a change free of charge.
And with President Trump’s 30-day travel ban on 26 European countries, it’s important to check your airline’s policy. Canada also closed its borders to foreigners, with the exception of US citizens. 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 September 30, 2020 for original travel between March 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Air France | If you purchased your ticket before 21 April 2020 inclusive, you can postpone your departure date (Except for group rates and allotments.) without any change fee. If the original fare is no longer available, however, you will need to pay any fare difference. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Alaska Airlines | Change fees waived/ refunds given depending on fare type for flights booked on or before Feb. 27 to December 31 2020 for future travel. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| American Airlines | No change fee if you bought your ticket before September 30, 2020. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| British Airways | You can change the dates and destination of your booking without incurring a change fee, although you will need to pay any difference in price (applies to bookings made from 3 March until 30 September 2020 for journeys that are due to have been completed by 31 August 2021). | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Cathay Pacific | Cancel for free on flights booked on or before March 23 for travel through 9 March to 31 October 2020. If you do not wish to cancel, you can change your ticket or exchange it for Cathay credits. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Delta | Change fees are waived for travel impacted by coronavirus, including any flights purchased before April 17, 2020, departing March 2020 through March 2021 and all tickets purchased March 1 through December 31, 2020. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Frontier | Bookings made between August 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 will be permitted a one-time change to travel plans without a change fee, when the change is made 7 or more days prior to departure, subject to terms and conditions. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Travel waiver has been extended to include new bookings made by Dec. 31, 2020. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| JetBlue | Book a new flight through February 28, 2021 and fees will be waived if you change or cancel. If you choose to rebook, you can do so on any flight through the end of JetBlue's schedule. Fare difference may apply. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Southwest | Southwest does not charge fees to change or cancel flights, although applicable fare differences may apply. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Spirit | Change fees are waived for guests whose travel plans are impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus). | 9/10/2020 | 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. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Turkish Airlines | Purchase tickets by November and enjoy unlimited changing rights until 2022. You can change your ticket whenever you want. Terms and conditions apply. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| Qantas | Travel on a Qantas flight before 31 October 2020, 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. | 9/10/2020 | More info |
| United Airlines | All change fees waived for tickets issued on or before March 2, 2020, for travel June 1 – Dec. 31, 2020. | 9/10/2020 | 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. | 9/10/2020 | 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.
Many of the airlines on this list also require passengers to wear face masks.
Picture: Getty Images
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