[Updated 2020.1.31] Delta Air Lines, which had previously held off, has finally announced its flight cancellation plan, and it is currently the broadest both in time span and scope. In addition, UA and AA have also expanded their cancellations.
- DL has canceled all U.S.-China flights from 02/06-04/30.
- UA has expanded its cancellations: all flights between mainland China and the U.S. from 02/04-03/27 have been canceled. UA is keeping one daily round-trip SFO-HKG flight.
- AA has expanded its cancellations: all flights between mainland China and the U.S. from 01/31-03/27 have been canceled.
If you need to travel during this period, we recommend canceling your ticket and switching to a Chinese carrier.
In light of the novel coronavirus outbreak, reduced passenger demand has led both Chinese and international airlines to make various adjustments to flights involving affected areas. For passengers traveling within certain dates, many airlines are also offering more flexible change and cancellation policies regardless of whether the flight itself has been canceled, making it easier either to travel or to cancel plans. To help everyone out, this post summarizes the policies and flight cancellation status of major airlines, especially those commonly used on U.S.-China routes.
Most of the policies below were proactively published by the airlines themselves. However, even if your itinerary is not covered by the policies listed below, you can still try calling the airline to ask for a change or cancellation. In general, they usually will not make things too difficult. If the front-line representative says no, you can try asking for a supervisor.
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Delta Air Lines (DL)
Flight cancellation updates
On January 31, Delta announced that it would cancel all flights between the U.S. and China from February 6 through April 30.
Changes/cancellations: all U.S.-China flights
Refunds are permitted, and you may contact Delta to discuss other rebooking options.
For flights on February 5, Delta is offering a change fee waiver.
American Airlines (AA)
Flight cancellation updates
New: All U.S.-China flights from 01/31-03/27 have now been canceled.
On January 29, American Airlines announced that it would cancel all flights from February 9 through March 27 between Shanghai Pudong (PVG)/Beijing Capital (PEK) and Los Angeles (LAX). Other flights were not affected at that time.
To check the latest change/cancellation policy, you can also see the American Airlines travel alerts.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Wuhan (WUH)
Tickets involving Wuhan that were purchased on or before January 23 and issued by American Airlines, for travel from January 23 through March 31, may qualify for a full refund by contacting customer service.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Beijing Capital (PEK)
For flights operated by American Airlines, purchased on or before January 24, and scheduled for travel from January 24 through February 29, you may make one free change to a flight from January 24 through March 31, as long as the cabin, origin, and destination remain the same. No change fee or fare difference will be charged. Change fees may also be waived for upgrades.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Hong Kong (HKG)
For flights operated by American Airlines, purchased on or before January 28, and scheduled for travel from January 28 through February 29, you may make one free change to a flight from January 28 through March 31, as long as the cabin, origin, and destination remain the same. No change fee or fare difference will be charged. Change fees may also be waived for upgrades.
United Airlines (UA)
Flight cancellation updates
Due to reduced passenger demand, United has canceled all flights between mainland China and the U.S. from 02/04-03/26. You can check whether your flight is affected on the United website.
To check the latest change/cancellation policy, you can also see United's change fee waiver policy.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Wuhan (WUH)
Tickets involving Wuhan that were purchased on or before January 21 and issued by United, for travel from January 22 through March 29, are eligible for a full refund.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Beijing Capital (PEK), or Chengdu (CTU)
For flights operated by United, purchased on or before January 23, and scheduled for travel from January 24 through February 29, you may choose a free change to a flight from January 24 through March 31, as long as the cabin, origin, and destination remain the same. No change fee or fare difference will be charged. You may also choose a full refund.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Hong Kong (HKG)
For flights operated by United, purchased on or before January 27, and scheduled for travel from January 28 through February 29, you may choose a free change to a flight from January 28 through March 31, as long as the cabin, origin, and destination remain the same. No change fee or fare difference will be charged. You may also cancel, but you will not receive a refund; the ticket value may be used toward any United flight within one year of the ticket issue date.
Delta Air Lines (DL)
Delta has canceled all U.S.-China flights from February 6 through April 30. It has published a free change waiver for mainland China on its website.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Beijing Capital (PEK)
For flights operated by Delta and scheduled for travel from January 24 through April 30, you may make one free change to a flight from January 24 through March 31, as long as the cabin, origin, and destination remain the same. No change fee or fare difference will be charged. If it is a Delta-issued ticket, you can change it yourself on the website without calling customer service.
You may also cancel, but you will not receive a refund; the ticket value may be used toward any Delta flight within one year of the ticket issue date.
Air Canada (AC)
Flight cancellation updates
Air Canada has canceled all mainland China flights from January 30 through February 29.
To check the latest change/cancellation policy, you can also see Air Canada's change fee waiver policy.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Wuhan (WUH)
Tickets involving Wuhan that were purchased on or before January 21 and issued by Air Canada, for travel from January 22 through March 29, are eligible for a full refund or a free change to the same cabin on a flight departing by June 15.
Changes/cancellations: flights involving Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Beijing Capital (PEK)
For flights operated by Air Canada, purchased on or before January 28, and scheduled for travel from January 24 through February 29, you are eligible for a full refund or a free change to the same cabin on a flight departing by June 15.
Air China (CA)
Tickets involving Wuhan that were purchased on or before January 31 and issued by Air China, for travel from January 1 through March 29, are eligible for a full refund or one free change, as long as the origin and destination remain the same, with no fare difference charged.
Hainan Airlines (HU)
Tickets involving Wuhan that were purchased on or before January 31 and issued by Hainan Airlines, for travel from January 1 through March 29, are eligible for a full refund or one free change, as long as the origin and destination remain the same, with no fare difference charged.
China Eastern (MU) and Shanghai Airlines (FM)
Tickets involving Wuhan that were purchased on or before January 21 and issued by China Eastern/Shanghai Airlines, for travel from January 1 through March 29, are eligible for a full refund or one free change, as long as the origin and destination remain the same, with no fare difference charged.
China Southern (CZ)
Tickets involving Wuhan that were purchased on or before January 31 and issued by China Southern, for travel from January 1 through March 29, are eligible for a full refund or one free change, as long as the origin and destination remain the same, with no fare difference charged.
Cathay Pacific (CX) and Cathay Dragon (KA)
Tickets involving mainland China that were purchased on or before January 28 and issued by Cathay, for travel from January 28 through March 31, are eligible for a full refund or one free change, as long as the origin and destination remain the same and departure is on or before May 31, with no fare difference charged.
Refunds and changes must be processed before departure. If you did not check in and also did not cancel in advance, fees will not be waived.
CAAC requirements
On January 28, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a notice requiring all airlines, in order to help control the outbreak, to allow free refunds for passengers who booked tickets before January 28, regardless of destination.
FAQ
Q: Who should I contact for a refund or change?
You should go back to wherever you booked the ticket. If you purchased through a travel agency or an online travel agency website (OTA), contact them for changes or refunds. If it is an award ticket, contact the airline that issued the ticket.
Q: What if I cannot reach the travel agency or booking service?
If your trip is about to begin and you still cannot get through, you can first ask the airline to cancel it for you.
Q: I changed or canceled before the airline published its notice. Can I get the fee refunded?
It depends, but it is worth trying your luck with the airline.