United, American, Delta And Other Airlines Are Uniting To Issue Flight Waivers For The Los Angeles Area

Posted by author January 9, 2025 Travel

The wildfires burned over 27,000 acres, while five lives were lost. In addition, iconic state parks were destroyed, including Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park.

Airlines are now doing their part to aid those affected by the wildfires. The likes of Delta, American Airlines, United, and Southwest have all agreed to waive fees. However, it is important to note that all the airlines have different conditions in order to be eligible for the waived fees. In one case, the airline might even agree to reimburse the ticket even if the purchase was not refundable.

Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from the major airlines during this devastating time in California.

California State Parks Staff Are Working To Salvage Artifacts After Fire Destroys Two Iconic State Parks

Both iconic California State Parks lost over 30 building combined.

Both United And American Airlines Will Waive Fees, But Terms Must Be Met

Several of the major airlines have agreed to waive fees for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Of course, the airlines do have conditions that need to be met in order for the fees to be waived.

United in particular will waive most fees and take care of fee differences.

United wrote on its website, “You can reschedule your trip and we’ll waive change fees and fare differences. But, your new flight must be a United flight departing between January 7, 2025 and January 17, 2025. Tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.”

The cities can also include one of the following:

Bakersfield, CA, US (BFL)
Burbank, CA, US (BUR)
Los Angeles, CA, US (LAX)
Ontario, CA, US (ONT)
Palm Springs, CA, US (PSP)
San Diego, CA, US (SAN)
Santa Barbara, CA, US (SBA)
Orange County, CA, US (SNA)

American Airlines will also waive fees, but changes must be booked by January 10th, 2025.

American Airlines will waive fees if the following are met:
Are traveling on an American Airlines flight
Are booked in any fare class, including Basic Economy
Bought your ticket by January 7, 2025
Are scheduled to travel January 8 – 10, 2025
Can travel January 8 – 15, 2025
Don’t change your origin or destination city
Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference

Delta Will Also Waive Fees Until January 15th

Delta passengers have until January 15th to rebook. However, the website notes that a fare difference may be applied.

“When rebooked travel occurs on or before January 15, 2025 in the same cabin of service as originally booked, the fare difference will be waived. A fare difference may apply when the waiver is class to class restrictive and the original booking class is not maintained in the rebooked itinerary.”

United, Delta
and
American
have issued other advisories for the Southeast Winter Weather, and have agreed to waive fees as well, but terms must be met in order to be eligible.

JetBlue Airliner landing at Fort Lauderdale International Airport

Two Deceased Individuals Found in Aircraft Landing Gear of JetBlue Airliner in Florida

Tensions Mounting Throughout U.S. Airports As Stowaways Infiltrate Planes Far Too Easily

Southwest Announced Schedule Adjustments And 14-Day Period Of Rebooking Without Additional Charges

Southwest is extending the rebooking to 14 days from the original date.

The airline wrote on its website, “Customers holding reservations to, from, or through the cities listed above on the corresponding dates who want to alter their travel plans may rebook or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying additional charges.”

Southwest also announced that the following flights between January 8th and January 10th may be delayed, diverted, and/or canceled: