George S. May Business Blog

Swine flu fall-out: Airlines to waive cancellation fees for changed flights to Mexico

All the talk of the dangers of traveling to Mexico, combined with the fact that I have a ticket to Cabo San Lucas next week, I started to wonder: should the reports get bad enough to scare me from traveling, will I be able to change my flight without penalty?

Well, the quick answer is yes. My flight is booked with American Airlines who, along with Continental Airlines, is allowing passengers to change their plans without penalty through May 6. But there are several other airlines honoring same relaxed penalties:

Delta Air Lines is waiving the $250 change fee for international flights through May 4. A Delta spokesman Monday said no cancellations on flights to Mexico have been reported and operations are continuing normally.

United Airlines is waiving fees through Thursday for passengers to Mexico City.

Passengers on Mexican carrier Aeromexico can change their plans without charge until Thursday.

US Air also is waiving its standard fee for a reservation change.

Quick facts on the current status of the outbreak: The swine flu outbreak is suspected to have caused more than 100 deaths in Mexico and sickened over 1,600. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified 20 cases of swine flu in the U.S., including eight students of a preparatory high school in New York and a 9-year-old Ohio boy who visited several Mexican cities on a family vacation.

The U.S. government on Sunday declared a public health emergency in response to the outbreak. Health officials worldwide have also stepped up efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

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