American Airlines extends waiver for change fees as coronavirus spreads

CHARLOTTE — American Airlines announced they are waiving fees for flyers who want to cancel or change flights because of coronavirus concerns.

The news could impact thousands of families who may be considering changing their spring break travel plans.

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Spring break for many families comes next month, when traffic at Charlotte Douglas International Airport really ramps up.

Overnight, American Airlines announced they'll waive fees they normally charge to change your flights, through the end of April.

The airline will waive change fees for customers who purchased tickets before March 1 for travel through April 30, which is big for those families concerned about spring break travel.

The offer is good for any ticket and you have until Dec. 31 to rebook your trip.

In addition to the waivers, American Airlines said it's taking extensive preventative measures to protect its passengers and employees, including a 30-point cleaning package for planes that run international flights.

That package involves a more thorough cleaning of hard surfaces, including tray tables and armrests.

The airline is also providing crew members with wipes and hand sanitizer for flights across the Pacific and to Italy.

American Airlines is working to expand that policy to all flights in the future.

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