Airlines are providing waivers as Hurricane Hilary approaches the west coast of the Baja California peninsula to provide travelers flexibility in case the storm alters their travel plans.
Hurricane Hilary
As it approaches land, Hurricane Hilary is causing schedule disruptions for airlines, sporting activities, and other events.
The now Category 3 storm has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a first-ever Tropical Storm Watch for Southern California, spanning from the southern border to just north of Los Angeles.
According to Department of Transportation policy, passengers are automatically entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled for any reason, including Hurricane Hilary. However, airlines are given more latitude in the event of delays. The DOT maintains a dashboard that can be used by passengers to understand how airlines handle delay compensation.
Before it reaches southern California, Hurricane Hilary is predicted to weaken even further to a tropical storm. In more than 80 years, it would be the first tropical storm to make landfall in the US state.
Some passengers booked on flights with American between August 20 and 21 won’t be charged any change costs, but their new flight must depart by August 25.
Passengers flying into, out of, or through the following cities are covered by Hurricane Hilary: 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), and Santa Barbara, California (SBA).
Additionally, due to Hurricane Hilary, American Airlines is waiving change costs for travelers departing from and arriving at Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico on August 19–20. Their new trip must be taken before August 22.
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Customers who purchased a Hurricane Hilary waiver from Delta Air Lines and have flights booked to, from, or via the chosen cities between August 20 and 21 may rebook at no additional cost.
These cities are 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), and Santa Ana, California (SNA).
By August 24, their replacement trip must be booked. For passengers flying to, from, or through Los Cabos International Airport during August 19–20, Delta has also provided a waiver. The next trip needs to happen on August 23.
Flight changes on Frontier Airlines are free of charge for passengers flying to, from, or via the following airports.
These cities are San Diego, California (SAN), Santa Ana, California (SNA), and Ontario, California (ONT). The exemption applies to travel on August 20–21.
Passengers going to or from the following cities can change or cancel their flights with JetBlue Airways without paying any fees or pricing difference.
These cities are Burbank, California (BUR), Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS), Los Angeles, California (LAX), Ontario, California (ONT), and San Diego, California (SAN).
The exception pertains to travel on August 20–21, and any subsequent travel must occur before August 25. Additionally, through August 20, the airline is waiving change and cancellation fees as well as fare disparities for anyone flying to or from Los Cabos International Airport. Their new trip must be taken before August 22.
The following cities allow for free rebooking for Southwest Airlines Hurricane Hilary waiver travelers traveling to, from, or through them: 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), and Santa Barbara, California (SBA).
The exception applies to trips planned for August 20–21. Additionally eligible are those with reservations for flights to, from, or through Los Cabos International Airport between August 18–20.
Hurricane Hilary waiver for Spirit Airlines Passengers flying to, from, or via the following cities may alter their reservation without incurring fines or incurring ticket discrepancies: Burbank, California (BUR), Los Angeles, California (LAX), Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD), Orange County, California (SNA), and San Diego, California (SAN). The exception applies to trips planned for August 20–21.
If they are going through one of the following cities, customers on United Airlines with Hurricane Hilary waiver tickets scheduled to fly August 20–21 may change their reservations without incurring fines or rate changes: Bakersfield, California (BFL), Burbank, California (BUR), Los Angeles, California (LAX), Ontario, California (ONT), Palm Springs, California (PSP), San Diego, California (SAN), Santa Barbara, California (SBA), San Luis Obispo, California (SBP), and Orange County, California (SNA).
By August 28, the new trip must have been completed. Those who fly into Los Cabos International Airport on August 19 or 20 are also welcome to apply, but they must depart on their new vacation by August 23.
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