WestJet, Air Canada waive flight change fees amid coronavirus concerns

As the impact of coronavirus continues to be felt at home and abroad, Canada’s two biggest airlines have announced they are waiving flight change fees.

On its website, WestJet says all new flight bookings made between March 5 and March 31, 2020 will be allowed a one-time change fee waiver. This “is available for any itinerary change made more than 14 days from departure.”

The airline advises customers who need to make a change to bookings made between the qualifying dates to visit the Manage trips page on the WestJet website.

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Air Canada has implemented a similar policy for tickets purchased between March 4 and March 31, 2020.

“Air Canada will allow you to make a one-time change to your flight without incurring a change fee up to 14 days before travel,” the company states.

Changes can be made online, through your travel agent, or by calling Air Canada Reservations at 1-888-247-2262. The one-time change fee waiver will apply to tickets purchased between March 4 and March 31, 2020 for travel within 12 months of the issue date on the original ticket, provided changes are made at least 14 days before the departing flight.

The one-time change fee waiver also applies to Aeroplan Flight Reward bookings, and customers who have gone this route are advised to contact Aeroplan directly to make any changes.

The announcements from both airlines come in the wake of a recent study that found the coronavirus could cost the airline industry up to $113 billion globally.