Airlines issue waivers as Tropical Storm Hilary nears Southern California
More than 1,000 U.S. flights have been canceled Sunday, and more than 4,500 others have been delayed as of 9 p.m ET, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Not all of the disruptions are due to Tropical Storm Hilary, but airlines have issued waivers specifically for the storm.
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.
Alaska Airlines Tropical Storm Hilary waiver
Alaska is allowing travelers with flights scheduled to or from the following cities between Aug.20 to 21 to change or cancel their flights without fees.
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, Calfiornia (SNA)
Santa Barbara, California (SBA)
The flexible travel policy only applies to customers whose flights were issued by Alaska Airlines. Travel must be completed by Aug. 25.
The airline is also offering flexibility for guests who had flights scheduled from Aug. 18-20 to or from Los Cabos and Loreta, Mexico.
American Airlines Tropical Storm 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)
Yuma, Arizona (YUM)
American is also waiving change fees for passengers traveling through Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico through Aug. 20. They must take their new trip by Aug. 22.
Delta Air Lines Tropical Storm 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.
Everglades National Park: ‘Subtle on the views,’ big on wildlife: What to know about the park
Frontier Airlines Tropical Storm 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.
Hawaiian Airlines Tropical Storm Hilary waiver
Travelers who were scheduled to fly Hawaiian Airlines to or from the following cities on Aug. 20-21 may reschedule their flights without penalty or cancel their flights for flight credit for future use.
Long Beach (LGB)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Ontario (ONT)
San Diego (SAN)
Customers rebooking flights must do so by Aug. 27 and complete travel by Aug. 31.
JetBlue Airways Tropical Storm Hilary waiver
JetBlue is allowing passengers flying to or from the following cities to change or cancel flights with no fees and fare differences:
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 Tropical Storm 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 Tropical Storm 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.
Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what you're owed
United Airlines Tropical Storm 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:
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)
Orange County, California (SNA)
The new travel must take place by Aug. 28.
Travelers flying through Los Cabos International Airport Aug. 19-20 are also eligible and must take their new trip by Aug. 23.
Contributing: Zach Wichter, Eve Chen, USA TODAY
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Hilary airline waivers: What to know
