Alaska Airlines to End Flight Change Fees

Alaska Airlines will permanently end flight change fees for domestic and international flights.

The new change applies to all tickets except for Saver fares, or economy-price tickets with certain restrictions. Alaska, whose company headquarters are in the city of Sea-Tac, previously charged $125 to change a non-Saver flight, with the exception of those traveling on refundable tickets or Alaskas Mileage Plan top elite status members.

Alaska follows major airlines United, American and Delta in permanently scrapping ticket change fees.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Alaska will also extend its flexible booking policy for all tickets purchased through the end of the year.

Since the start of the pandemic, Alaska and other airlines have implemented multiple policies for passengers’ health and safety. Alaska requires all passengers to wear masks and has blocked 75 passengers who have refused to comply. The airline has also stopped selling middle seats to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Covid has taught us that flexibility in travel is key, says Andrew Harrison, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Alaska Airlines. As we evolve our approach to travel to include more than 100 safety actions, its important to give our guests flexibility when they book by eliminating change fees.