As Coronavirus Spreads, Blumenthal Calls on Airlines to Suspend Flight Change & Cancelation Fees

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – With the uncertainty surrounding the rapidly changing coronavirus public health emergency, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) urged seven major U.S. airlines to waive all flight change and cancelation fees for travelers to ensure Americans are able to make the best decision for their health without the burden of high fees. Blumenthal also called on the airlines to ensure these policies cover all tickets purchased for an extended timeframe.

“As the coronavirus continues to instill fear and uncertainty among your customers, I feel strongly that American Airlines has a moral obligation to make clear to consumers that they will not be charged additional fees for taking steps to keep themselves, their loved ones, and the public safe,” Blumenthal wrote in his letter to American Airlines CEO W. Douglas Parker. Similar letters were sent to Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and JetBlue Airways.

Last week, JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines made changes to their policies by waiving fees for customers changing or canceling flights purchased after February 27, 2020. On Sunday, American Airlines announced a similar policy change, but with a restriction that customers need to make changes to their travel arrangements at least two weeks before departure to avoid the fees, and only for flight tickets purchased after March 2020.

Blumenthal called on the airlines to implement policy changes to ensure all flight change and cancelation fees are suspended, including to those purchased before their restrictive timelines and “for a reasonable amount of time – to provide individuals and families with flexibility and peace of mind when it comes to their travel plans.”

The full text of the letter to American Airlines is available here.

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