1. Overview of Airline Flexibility
The travel search company Next Vacay analyzed the policies of airlines — including change fees, refund options, and flight cancelation policies — to see how each stacked up.
2. The Need for Flexible Travel
As the COVID-19 pandemic has made flexibility in travel a non-negotiable, some U.S. airlines have addressed this need in their policies. In a February analysis conducted by travel search company Next Vacay, findings shared with iBestTravel show that major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest, meet customers’ demands for flexibility.
3. Key Findings of the Study
The study specifically evaluated airlines’ change fees, refund options, flight cancelation policies, and travel insurance options at 10 U.S.-based carriers to see how their current standards stack up. Airlines that were most accommodating to passengers received higher scores.
“Whether it’s across the globe or closer to home, many passengers are becoming more cautious about the reliability of flights as the travel industry attempts to get back to normal,” stated the company’s founder and CEO in a statement shared with iBestTravel. “Each airline has different specifications, so make sure you do your research to find the best option for the flexibility you’re looking for.”
4. Top Airlines for Flexibility
The study deemed American Airlines as one of the most flexible airlines, as it does not impose change fees on all domestic flights or short-haul and select long-haul international flights, and also offers an option for a refundable ticket. Moreover, Next Vacay has recognized its strong partnership with Allianz Global Assistance; however, it is important to note that tickets for the basic economy class remain non-refundable and unchangeable.
Southwest Airlines was also recognized for its flexibility, with no change fees and refundable tickets available in select classes of Anytime and Business Select. Additionally, what sets the Dallas-based carrier apart is its policy allowing passengers to cancel up to 10 minutes before a flight departure for a refund. The only reason it received a slightly lower score than American Airlines is that the airline does not offer travel insurance with flight bookings, although such options are available with Southwest Vacations packages.
5. Comparison with Other Airlines
Delta and United Airlines also ranked high for flexibility. Delta imposes no change fees for Main Cabin and higher fare classes, while United has eliminated change fees for economy and premium seats, offering refunds on select fares. Both airlines provide travel insurance — Delta partners with Allianz while United collaborates with Travel Guard — but passengers who cancel a Basic Economy ticket on United are unable to obtain a refund.
6. Airlines with Less Flexibility
On the other end of the spectrum, Allegiant Airlines has some of the least flexible policies, charging $25 per person for each flight segment to change a booking. Furthermore, 24 hours after booking, there is a $75 cancellation fee per person for each segment, with flight credit being issued for the remaining balance. This can potentially be avoided by purchasing insurance through Trip Flex to bypass change fees.
Additionally, Alaska Airlines is noteworthy as it does not impose change fees for its Main and First Class fares; however, only one change is permitted and same-day changes come with a fee of $25 to $50.
