At LAX, airlines ease restrictions, travelers hunt for alternatives

Passengers wait outside LAX Terminal 1 after thousands were evacuated after a shooting in Terminal 3.

By Christopher Reynolds

Nov. 1, 2013 3:16 PM PT

As thousands of travelers dealt with delayed and canceled flights in the wake of Friday morning’s LAX shootings, several airlines loosened their rules for rebooking. But their offers varied.

Here’s a round-up of what Alaska, American, Delta, United, US Airways and Virgin America -- some of the largest among the many carriers using LAX -- are doing.

Bear in mind that change fees have been climbing in recent years. Since May, American, Delta, United and US Airways have all been charging a $200 ticket-change fee on non-refundable fares for domestic flights. Alaska’s fee is typically $125; Virgin America’s $100. Southwest Airlines, alone among major U.S. carriers, charges no change fees. (Here’s a chart showing carriers and their fees for ticket changes, carry-on bags and other items.)

Alaska Airlines is offering refunds to any customer holding tickets for LAX Alaska flights on Nov. 1. The airline is also waiving its change fees and will honor original fares if affected customers rebook their trip for travel on or before Nov. 4. However, the airline notes on its website, it isn’t offering help with lodging or meals or other transportation costs. Details here.

American Airlines is allowing passengers booked through LAX on Nov. 1 to rebook once, for travel Nov. 1 or Nov. 2, without a fee. Details here.

Delta is offering refunds to travelers whose flights are canceled or “significantly delayed.” Even if your flight is not canceled, the airline said, Delta travelers scheduled to pass through LAX, Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario or Orange County (SNA) airports Nov. 1 can make a one-time change to their tickets without a fee. (The rescheduled travel needs to happen on or before Nov. 4, though, and the new fare may differ from the old one.) Details here.

United travelers making same-day flight changes on itineraries involving LAX will have their fees waived. For other changes to Nov. 1 tickets, the change fee may be waived, but a difference in fare may apply. Details here.

US Airways representatives said they hadn’t issued a formal advisory (or tweet), but were allowing changes without penalty for travelers who were booked on Friday flights involving LAX. The carrier’s usual ticket-change policy is here.

Also, Virgin America announced a waiver on change fees for travelers scheduled to use LAX on Friday. Details here.