British Airways has become the first UK airline to join an American push to encourage nervous travelers to buy tickets by offering a waiver for hefty change fees.
As some airlines confront 50 percent "no shows" and softening future bookings due to the coronavirus, others have decided to waive change fees on tickets booked in the coming weeks in a bid to shore up demand from nervous travelers.
They include US carriers JetBlue, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
READ: Airlines to fly 40 million fewer seats in first months of 2020.
The rules differ slightly between airlines but in BA's case, it gives travelers to flexibility to delay travel booked by March 16.
The "book with confidence" policy covers all British Airways routes with changes available right up to departure. Any fare difference due to a date change will still apply.
“As some customers may choose to change or delay their travel plans at the moment, it’s important we offer them greater flexibility,'' said British Airways' chief commercial officer Andrew Brem.
"By waiving our change fee our customers can have the added confidence to book a trip with British Airways that suits them.”
JetBlue started the trend on February 27 when it offered to suspend change and cancellation fees for all new flight bookings made from that date to March 11 covering travel up to June 1.
The change applies to all fares, including Blue Basic, which generally doesn’t allow changes.
Alaska Airlines followed with a “peace of mind waiver”.
“Don’t worry about booking your ticket,’’ it said. “A waiver is currently in place for new tickets booked February 27-March 12, for travel through June 1, 2020.”
In a terse statement, American said it would waive change fees up to 14 days before travel for customers who buy tickets between March 1 and March 16.
The deal is available for any of American’s public fares but there was no mention of a travel date limit.
The volatility of the coronavirus outbreak and the responses by authorities have spooked some passengers, particularly those in Asia.
Notwithstanding the fear of catching the virus, the probability of which is low on an aircraft, passengers are worried about the financial risks of traveling during the outbreak.
Most insurance companies are now considering COVID-19 a “known event”, so people who buy tickets and insurance today are unlikely to be covered for medical or cancellation expenses due to the virus.
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