Airlines respond to Boston bombings with fee waivers
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Medical workers aid injured people at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon following two explosions Monday, April 15. (AP)
All major U.S. airlines are waiving change fees for fliers affected by Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon.
“As a sponsor of the Boston Marathon with a large number of the JetBlue family based in the city, our thoughts are with the Boston community during this difficult time,” Jetblue announced on its website, along with a notice that the company will be waiving all rebooking fees for customers flying in or out of Boston between April 15 and April 21.
Flights in and out of Boston's Logan International Airport are operating on normal flight schedules Tuesday, but there is heightened security at the terminals and on the airfield.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Boston Logan International Airport remains open, connecting Massachusetts and New England to the world," Thomas Glynn, CEO of the Massport agency that operates Logan Airport, said in a statement this morning.
The waivers come after two bombs exploded shortly before 3 p.m. Monday at the finish line of the Boston Marathon as the city celebrated its 238th annual Patriot's Day. At least three people were killed, including an 8-year-old boy was as he waited with his mother and sister for his father to finish the race.
Airlines offering change fee waivers are:
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Customers who booked travel before April 15th, for travel to or from Boston today or Wednesday can now rebook through Sunday April 21 without fee. For those customers scheduled to fly to or from Boston April 15-17, who need to move their flight beyond the 21st, JetBlue will waive the change fee.
Delta
If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you are entitled to a refund. Even if your flight is not canceled, you may make a one-time change to your ticket without fee if you are scheduled to travel to or from Boston. When rescheduled travel occurs beyond Apr 20, 2013, the change fee will be waived.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}United will waive fees for same-day flight changes within 24 hours of original departure. For all other changes, the change fee will be waived, but a difference in fare may apply.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}From US Airways, “We’ve relaxed our change-fee policies. If your trip is affected, you can change your trip online (in most cases) -- we’ll waive your change fees!”
From Air Canada, “Those customers wishing to make alternate travel arrangements can do so without penalty, space permitting, using our online rebooking tool: check your alternate travel options currently available; re-book yourself and check in before arriving at the airport.”