The novel coronavirus has undoubtedly made a mark on travelling for people from all over the world (and it’s not positive by any means). With airlines reeling from the devastating blow of cancellations coming in from every direction, some have turned towards more encouraging prospects of supporting the idea of going on holiday by waiving change fees.
1) Air Canada
Not resting until all their passengers are happy, Air Canada is waiving change fees to give travellers more freedom to travel. So, if you’re one of the many passengers debating on whether or not you should take flight, the information below may be of assistance.
Purchasing a ticket between March 4 and March 32, 2020 will allow you to gain an advantage in the form of zero change fee up to 14 days before travel.
This one-time change fee waiver applies to:
- 014 ticket stock
- All fare types
- All points-of-sale
- New travel completed within one year of the issue date of the original ticket, made at the same time as re-booking
2) British Airways
Understanding the need for flexibility in light of the infectious setback from the novel coronavirus, British Airways is hoisting a policy that enhances your freedom with fares, routes and all points of sale, dropping the usual change fees to allowing date changes for passengers who may find themselves in an unforeseeable predicament for bookings made by 16th of March (until midnight).
Related factors:
- All travel periods within system range are included
- All routes, all fares, all points of sale
- Normal change fee waived
- Fare difference still applies
- Changes can be made right up to departure
- Refund fees are not waived
3) United Airlines
Dedicated to helping customers, United Airlines are abandoning the need for change fees for bookings made from the 3rd March to 21st of March. The waiver applies to all tickets, fares, destinations and all other points of sale, regardless of it being domestic or international. Additionally, the airline has also ceased the importance of raising the priority of its cleaning procedures – making sure every aircraft is subjected to a sanitary takeover.
4) Singapore Airlines
Realising the need for newer policies, Singapore Airlines takes measures to help passengers who are having second thoughts about taking off on their next holiday. The airline will be waiving change fees for customers who make their bookings from the 05th to 16th of March 2020.
5) Air Europa
Air Europa is also one of the 15 airlines to make sure passengers don’t miss out on their dream holidays. Giving them the freedom to change dates on any tickets purchased until the 16th of March. Plus, they can also gain from up to 40% off on their ticket.
It is also important to note that no admin fees will be charged for tickets purchased within these dates, only the fare difference will be applied if the new date is not available at the booked fare.
6) Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand has also implemented a policy that guarantees more choice for passengers. Effective from the 5th to31st of March 2020, the method will cut off the standard penalty that is usually required to amend flight dates.
However, the usual fare difference will apply if the booking class is not available at the time of rebooking. The airline is further set to evaluate the pace at which the situation changes and will announce any updates when necessary.
7) Alitalia
Alitalia, the flag carrier of Italy and an airline that has been providing 73 years of high-quality in-flight services also joins the club. Dividing the case of its new policy into two different groups.
Groups booked until 5 March 2020. Travel from 6 March onwards
- Change date allowed within the next 3 months after the original booked date
- The date change must be requested by 13 March 2020
- Fare re-evaluation, if applicable
- For any cancelled seats, standard Terms and Conditions still apply
NEW groups booked from 6 March to 30 April 2020. Travel open
- Suspension of the change date restriction (15 days after the original booking)
- 1 change date allowed within the next 6 months after the original booked date
- The date change can be requested up to 21 days before departure
- Fare re-evaluation, if applicable
- For any cancelled seats, standard Terms and Conditions still apply
8) Finnair
Ay Finnair, an internationally recognised airline, has also updated their ticket change policy due to the coronavirus outbreak that is considered a global threat.
Specifics: You can change your travel date flexibly without a change fee and travel until 30 November 2020, if
- You made your booking latest on 30 April 2020.
- Your original travel date is latest on 30 November 2020.
- You have a Finnair operated and marketed flight on Finnair ticket.
- There are available seats on your chosen new flight.
- You make the change by 30 November 2020.
Please note that the change in the ticket rules doesn’t apply to Finnair Holidays, Aurinkomatkat (Sun tours) and other tour operators’ customers. In case you would like to cancel your booking, a refund will be arranged according to the ticket rule.
9) Lufthansa
As a way of reassuring passengers to get their holiday underway, Lufthansa has now officially launched their policy of dropping their fee when rebooking for booked flights between the 5th of March to the 30th of April 2020.
Implemented in line with the current goodwill policy, the system now simplifies the process of rebooking’s, making it easier than ever for passengers to schedule their flights.
10) EgyptAir
MS EgyptAir has also updated its policies on rebooking’s and reissues as a reflection of the global epidemic
- Tickets issued on/from 7th of March 2020 till 31st of March 2020 regardless of the date of travel.
- If there is a difference in fares or any applicable taxes due to reissue/reroute, any additional amount to be collected.
- Customers can change their booking to any date of travel according to the ticket validity and system range.
- Free change applied to individuals only and not on groups.
- Full refund permitted in case of transferring the ticket value to EMD “Good for Transportation” subject to being used in any future trip.
- Refund fees to be applied in case of requesting an immediate refund.
Note: One free change “Rebooking fees/No show fees” is permitted to passengers holding tickets issued on/before 7th of March 2020 to travel before 30th of April 2020, however difference in fares or taxes to be collected if any.
11) Oman Air
Promising flexibility, Oman Air has also assured passengers that they could book with confidence, removing change fees on all bookings made from the 6th till 31st of March 2020.
Key points to be highlighted
- Zero change fee for up to two date change on each flight reservation in the same booking class
- Applies to new bookings on any Oman Air routes made from the 6th till 31st of March 2020
- Travel period valid from 6th March till 31st October 2020
- Fees for additional services may apply
12) Royal Jordanian Airlines
The flag carrier of Jordan has updated its regulations as a response to the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus, with benefits including as follows:
In case of flight cancellation;
- Full refund approved with all taxes (O7, E3, XL and YL to be refunded)
- The first change is free of charge and waive difference in fare is applied.
All Network and the restricted nationalities due to new entry rules;
- The first change is free of charge, a difference to be collected
13) Scandinavian Airlines
In addition to its impressive track record of giving passengers the most memorable in-flight experiences, Scandinavian Airlines has officially launched a policy that offers free rebooking’s for tickets purchased from the 5th to 19th of March 2020. Notably, this policy is valid for travel between the 5th to 31st August 2020.
14) Sri Lankan Airlines
In the face of uncertainty, Sri Lankan Airlines – an airline known for its immaculate services are now providing policies that encourage confidence among passengers when booking.
Key features are as follows:
- One date change will be permitted free of charge.
- Valid for all tickets originating & issued in the UK, from 06 March to 31st March 2020.
- Bookings can be changed to any date within system range, in the same booking class as initially booked/ticketed.
- Any difference in fare or applicable taxes due to re-issue must be collected.
- The code PR006/26JAN20 must be included in the Endorsements box
- Changes are permitted up-to time of departure. Change/late change/no-show fee will not apply, only if tickets are re-issued.
- Refunds are not permitted. Normal refund charges will apply.
15) WestJet
With over 25 years of experience, WestJet has also responded to the novel coronavirus outbreak with its newest policy. With the features highlighted as follows
- Waived change fee applicable for WestJet air-only bookings.
- Applicable for new bookings only.
- Applicable on all fare bundles including Basic.
- For bookings made from March 3 to March 17, 2020.
- Travel must be completed before June 24, 2020.
- Change must be completed more than 14 days before departure.
- The difference in fare may apply.
- Regular change fees apply for changes made within 14 days before departure.
- Standard cancellation guidelines apply to all fares.
- A waiver is valid only for fares issued on WestJet 838 ticket stock.
16) Thai Airways
Last but not least, Thai Airways has also announced its flexible fare rules, deeming that there will no change fee for new bookings made from the 05th till 31st of March 2020. This policy is valid for bookings made from any European destination to destinations worldwide.
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