FORT WORTH, Texas – Multiple airlines are waiving change fees for passengers flying through Mexico because of an outbreak of swine flu but have not canceled flights.
Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines said Sunday it will waive its usual penalty for changing reservations for anyone traveling to, from or through Mexico from Saturday through May 6. It applies to anyone who bought their ticket before Saturday.
American spokesman Tim Smith wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the airline's medical department is "closely monitoring the situation." The airline has not canceled any flights because of swine flu, he said.
Smith also wrote that American has received "a few calls from customers ... but not huge numbers of them (are) seeking changes or information so far."
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1 comment:
While the American government is urging all travellers to mexico to postpone non essential travel, the airlines are doing just the opposite.
They are telling anyone who wants to cancel their non essential trip to mexico that they'll penalized with a 150 dollar penalty postpone or reroute their trip.
Change fees may be OK during normal times..,.but these are not normal times.
Should a passenger on one of their flights come down with Swine flu, do they want to get the blame for forcing people to travel now, while there is a government warning out?
Airlines should follow the lead of Southwest Airlines. They don't fly to mexico but they have a change policy that goes like this.
If for ANY reason you need to change or reroute your trip Southwest will give you a credit for the ticket amount that you can use anywhere..anytime..within one year. You can even sell your ticket to someone else.
No need for airlines to hold passengers hostage.
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