Do Airlines Offer Bereavement Fares? Know the Rules & Requirements

The experience of losing a loved one is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging times one can face. It is crucial for family members to unite and offer each other comfort during such distressing periods. Travel, which is often a demanding and stressful undertaking, can become even more burdensome when coupled with the emotional turmoil of unanticipated journeys during a time of grief.

If the question, do airlines offer bereavement fares, is running in your mind, then you have arrived at the right destination. Here, you will find complete information about bereavement fares and how several airlines help passengers during their difficult times. Stay tuned. 

An Overview of the Functionality of Bereavement Flights

A bereavement flight grants a special discount on urgent travel for close relatives of a person who has passed away or is in a critical health condition. To book such tickets, you will have to present certain documents to the airline prior to or after the travel. In most cases, you will have to make reservations directly with your airline, as this service is not available online.

Another important point to discuss is that not all airlines provide this service. In the next section, we will discuss the airlines that offer bereavement fares. Each airline has its own set of rules that you must follow. 

Airlines that offer bereavement fares to passengers 

As we have already discussed, not all airlines offer bereavement fares to their customers. So, let us talk about those who do provide this facility. Ensure to read the guidelines of every airline so that you have a proper idea of what airline to choose if you go through such dire circumstances. 

Delta Air Lines 

Delta Airlines understands the pain of people and thus provides bereavement fares for those suffering from the loss of their loved ones. The airline offers this program to passengers who are SkyMiles members and are traveling due to the death of an immediate family member. As per Delta Air Lines, immediate family includes child, parent, spouse, brother, sister, domestic partner, stepchild, stepparent, grandchild, grandparent, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, mother-in-law, father-in-law, stepsister, stepbrother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and daughter-in-law. 

The bereavement fares are limited to Delta and Delta Connection flights, with tickets being contingent upon availability and no further discounts being granted. Under Delta’s Bereavement rules, there is flexibility for the outbound and/or return portions of your travel, as service fees are waived; nonetheless, fare differences may still apply.

Under bereavement regulation, you need to provide certain information to the airline to purchase a ticket, i.e., the connection between the customer and the deceased individual, the name of the person who passed away, the contact number, and the name of the hospital or funeral chapel.

You can book your bereavement fares by connecting with Delta Airline’s city office. The staff is helpful and will surely assist you. 

Air Canada 

Air Canada is the national airline of Canada and provides bereavement fares to flights managed by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, and their codeshare partners. To make your booking, you will have to contact the airline via phone and provide them with the name of the deceased family member and your relationship with them, along with the name of the hospital and address and phone number of the doctor or the name, location, and phone number of the funeral home.

Air Canada mandates that its passengers submit one of the specified documents within seven days of returning from bereavement travel. Failure to provide the required supporting documents could result in an obligation to cover the difference in the regular fare price. 

• An additional copy of the death certificate
• Statement of the coroner
• Declaration made by the funeral director
• The record of death as issued by a provincial government entity
• A note from the physician responsible for the patient’s care

You can utilize bereavement travel with Air Canada if you are an immediate family member of the deceased person. This comprises the spouse, parent, child, sibling, Designated guardian, and marital partner of the designated guardian. The airline’s rules also include ex-partners and same-sex relationships. 

Alaska Airline

For individuals experiencing the sorrow of losing a loved one, Alaska Airlines offers a 10 percent discount on the lowest available fare for travel to any of its destinations. This offer is valid for journeys that occur within seven days of the loss. Additionally, flights operated by Horizon or SkyWest on behalf of Alaska are also included in this offer.

You can qualify for bereavement travel only if you are a member of the airline’s Mileage Plan and are close relatives of the person who has passed away. The airline considers spouse, parent, siblings, grandchild, grandparent, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, in-laws, child, and stepchild family members. Please note that this lowered rate does not extend to cousins or other relatives through marriage.

To learn more details, contact the Alaska Airlines city office. Make sure to communicate within the office’s working hours. 

Hawaiian Airlines 

Hawaiian Airlines also offers bereavement fares, but they are only applicable for neighbor island travel between Hawaiian islands. Bereavement fares are not available for urgent travel to or from locations outside of Hawaii, including routes within North America and international destinations. Nevertheless, if you require a flight departing within 48 hours, the airline will eliminate any applicable ticketing fees for reservations made via telephone.

You are only eligible for this service if you are a close family member of the dead, which includes spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, in-laws, stepparents, stepchildren, step-grandparents, stepgrandchildren, and stepsiblings. Adopted kids are also included. 

To qualify for the emergency fare rate, you must initially reserve your trip at the regular fare. Following this, you must provide the requisite documents, which consist of a copy of your ticket, proof of your relationship, and either a death certificate (for bereavement situations) or a signed medical waiver form (in the case of hospitalization). These documents can be submitted online, by fax, or by postal mail.

WestJet

WestJet offers compassionate travel regulations for individuals facing the loss of a close family relative, including a parent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, child, nephew, niece, spouse, executor, and the legal guardian or the spouse of the legal custodian. It is essential to understand that this regulation is limited to WestJet flights and does not extend to those operated by partner airlines.

The airline firmly asserts that all travel arrangements must be concluded within 30 days of the flight booking, including both the outbound and return journeys. To qualify for WestJet’s bereavement fare, it is essential to contact their customer service representatives via the call center since this fare is not offered online.

Concluding 

Hopefully, you now have the answer to your question: Do any airlines offer bereavement fares? Ensure to read the regulations of each airline carefully.

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