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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 December 31, 2020 for original travel between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| Air France | Air France has taken note of the reinstatement of the lockdown in France as from Friday 30 October, 2020, due to the sanitary situation. Flight schedule for short and medium haul flights is up to date until 30 November included. However, some last minute cancellations are possible. | 11/4/2020 | 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. | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| American Airlines | No change fees on all domestic and short-haul international flights. No change fees on long-haul international flights that originate in North or South America. | 11/19/2020 | 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). | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| Cathay Pacific | Cancel for free on flights booked on or before March 23 for travel until 31 December 2020, 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. | 11/4/2020 | 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. | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| Frontier | Change and cancel fees are waived for tickets purchased between October 29, 2020 and December 31, 2020 for travel through January 7, 2021. Terms and conditions apply. | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Travel waiver has been extended to include new bookings made by Dec. 31, 2020. | 11/4/2020 | 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. | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| Southwest | Southwest does not charge fees to change or cancel flights, although applicable fare differences may apply. | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| Spirit | Change and cancellation fees are waived for guests who book travel by Thursday, December 31 2020. | 11/4/2020 | 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. | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| Turkish Airlines | Flexible Travel opportunities are offered until December 31, 2021 (inclusive), for tickets bought until December 31, 2020 (inclusive) | 11/4/2020 | 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. | 11/4/2020 | More info |
| United Airlines | Change fees waived for most flights within the US and to Mexico and the Caribbean, and for all destinations through Dec. 31 2020. | 11/4/2020 | 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. | 11/4/2020 | 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.
Most airlines also require passengers to wear face masks.
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