- Airlines are currently experiences an influx of booking and change requests as coronavirus continues to spread around the world.
- The big three US airlines - Delta, United, and American - connecting the country with Asia and Europe has issued travel waivers allowing for changes and cancellations, especially after President Donald Trump's travel restrictions for Europe.
- All major US airlines have allowed for some form of change or cancellation for existing bookings through travel waivers.
- Most airlines won't offer a refund unless a flight is canceled or there is a schedule change.
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The airline industry is in crisis-mode and travelers are eager to avoid flying amid coronavirus fears.
In perhaps one of the greatest industry downturns since 9/11, a sharp reduction in travel demand caused by the spread of COVID-19 compounded by President Donald Trump's travel restrictions between the US and Europe has resulted in an influx of consumers wanting to change or cancel their travel plans.
A note by Cowen to clients stated that the airline industry has seen more cancellations than bookings after the desire to stay home and ride out the pandemic continues to grow.
"Airline bookings have fallen off a cliff, with cancellations exceeding new bookings as travelers are afraid to fly," the note said.
Airlines were quick to respond when the virus became prominent in China and continued to update their policies accordingly when it spread to South Korea and Italy.
As the declining demand for travel even domestically hit a fever pitch, most international airlines expanded their policies to waive change and/or cancel fees to any destinations.
Even though airlines are using words like change and cancel, the policies often have restrictions that travelers are unaware about.
Here's what you need to know about changing or canceling a booking as coronavirus continues to impact travel across the globe.