Airlines Extend Travel Waivers for LA Airports

Airlines Extend Travel Waivers as Wildfires Burn in Los Angeles

Airlines have extended travel waivers for Los Angeles airports as wildfires continue to burn in the area.

Airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue Airways have waived fees for flight changes for travelers booked to Los Angeles while the city grapples with power outages, water shortages and conservation, as well as the outright damage of more than 10,000 homes and other structures.

The area’s airports were operating normally on Friday, according to flight-tracking platform FlightAware, but parts of the city were still in the grip of the wildfires. Power outages were reported across Los Angeles County and local residents in the decimated Pacific Palisades area were told to boil or use bottled water. Parts of the county were also still under evacuation orders as firefighters sought to contain the fires.

Rebooking Options

American Airlines on Friday said travelers booked to or from Hollywood Burbank Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Ontario International Airport and John Wayne Airport, which serves Orange County, can rebook without paying a change fee or fare difference if they can fly as late as January 20.

Southwest said the wildfires could affect service to those airports and that customers can rebook within 14 days of their original travel dates without additional charges. It also said customers could change their trips to other California cities: Palm Springs, Santa Barbara and San Diego.

Delta Air Lines

A Delta Air Lines executive on Friday said sales of flights to Los Angeles, one of the carrier’s busiest hubs and a generator of high-value business and leisure travel, have declined.

"We monitor sales on a daily basis by geographic region, and we have seen a decline in sales, not a wholesale reduction or an uptick in cancellations, but a decline in sales during this period," Delta’s president, Glen Hauenstein, said on an earnings call, in which the airline also said it had otherwise strong travel demand across its network.

Hauenstein said however that there is often an uptick in demand after natural disasters because of rebuilding.

"Our hearts go out to everybody in Los Angeles affected by this," he said. "But from a long-term airline perspective, we faced hurricanes, we faced flooding, we faced all that. And usually, the impacts are in the beginning phases, followed by a recovery phase."

Conclusion

Airlines have taken steps to ease the travel impact of the wildfires in Los Angeles, offering travel waivers and rebooking options to affected passengers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are all airlines affected by the wildfires?
A: No, some airlines have already extended travel waivers and rebooking options, but it’s recommended to check with your airline for the latest information.

Q: Can I cancel my flight without penalty?
A: Check your airline’s rebooking policy, as some have waived change fees and fare differences for affected flights.

Q: Are there other travel disruptions aside from flight delays?
A: Yes, parts of Los Angeles County are experiencing power outages, water shortages, and evacuations due to the wildfires, which may also impact travel.

Q: Are there any plans for rebuilding or recovery efforts in the affected areas?
A: Yes, rebuilding and recovery efforts are already underway, and airline executives have predicted an uptick in demand in the coming days.