Airlines issue waivers as Hurricane Hilary nears Southern California

Travel
Doifoo
August 20, 2023
0
19
13 minutes read

As Hurricane Hilary heads for the west coast of the Baja California peninsula, airlines are issuing waivers to give passengers flexibility in case the storm disrupts their travel plans.

Cancellations remained low on Saturday, with just over 200 U.S. flights scrapped as of about 5 p.m. ET, and more than 2,800 delayed, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Travelers are automatically entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled for any reason, according to Department of Transportation policy, but airlines have more leeway in the event of delays. The DOT has a dashboard that can help travelers unpack airlines’ policies around delay compensation.

American Airlines Hurricane Hilary waiver

American is waiving change fees for some travelers scheduled to fly from Aug. 20-21, though their new trip must take place by Aug. 25. The waiver applies to passengers flying to, from or through the following cities:

Bakersfield, California (BFL)
Burbank, California (BUR)
Los Angeles, California (LAX)
Ontario, California (ONT)
Palm Springs, California (PSP)
San Diego, California (SAN)
San Luis Obispo, California (SBP)
Santa Ana/Orange County, California (SNA)
Santa Barbara, California (SBA)

American is also waiving change fees for passengers traveling through Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico Aug. 19-20. They must take their new trip by Aug. 22.

Delta Air Lines Hurricane Hilary waiver

Delta passengers scheduled to fly to, from or through the following cities Aug. 20-21 can rebook with no fare difference:

Burbank, California (BUR)
Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)
Los Angeles, California (LAX)
Long Beach, California (LGB)
Ontario, California (ONT)
Palm Springs, California (PSP)
San Diego, California (SAN)
Santa Ana, California (SNA)

Their new trip must happen by Aug. 24. Delta has also issued a waiver for travelers flying to, from or through Los Cabos International Airport Aug. 19-20. The new trip must take place by Aug. 23.

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Frontier Airlines Hurricane Hilary waiver

Frontier customers traveling to, from or through the following airports can change their flights without fees:

San Diego, California (SAN)
Santa Ana, California (SNA)
Ontario, California (ONT)

The waiver applies to travel between Aug. 20-21.

JetBlue Airways Hurricane Hilary waiver

JetBlue is allowing passengers flying to or from the following cities to change or cancel flights with no fees and fare difference:

Burbank, California (BUR)
Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)
Los Angeles, California (LAX)
Ontario, California (ONT)
San Diego, California (SAN)

The waiver applies to travel Aug. 20-21, and new travel must take place by Aug. 25.

The airline is also waiving change and cancellation fees and fare differences for travelers flying to or from Los Cabos International Airport through Aug. 20. They must take their new trip by Aug. 22.

Southwest Airlines Hurricane Hilary waiver

Southwest passengers traveling to, from or through the following cities can rebook with no additional charges:

Burbank, California (BUR)
Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)
Los Angeles, California (LAX)
Long Beach, California (LGB)
Ontario, California (ONT)
Orange County/Santa Ana, California (SNA)
Palm Springs, California (PSP)
San Diego, California (SAN)
Santa Barbara, California (SBA)

The waiver applies to travel scheduled Aug. 20-21. Passengers with flights booked to, from or through Los Cabos International Airport Aug. 18-20 are also eligible.

Spirit Airlines Hurricane Hilary waiver

Passengers flying to, from or through the following cities with Spirit can change their reservation with no fees or fare differences:

Burbank, California (BUR)
Los Angeles, California (LAX)
Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD)
Orange County, California (SNA)
San Diego, California (SAN)

The waiver applies to travel scheduled Aug. 20-21.

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United Airlines Hurricane Hilary waiver

United passengers scheduled to fly Aug. 20-21 can change their reservations with no fees or fare differences, if they are traveling through the following cities: