In a move to cop up with the shifting times in the world of travel, yesterday 30th August, United Airlines announced a “permanent” elimination on reservation change fees for domestic economy- and premium-cabin tickets and opened free same-day standby to all customers.
The amended moves come after the Chicago-based airline and peers had temporarily suspended change fees earlier this year in response to the industry downturn, a move that had long been called for by customers.
Prior to the change, United charged $200 for changes to domestic travel plans and $75 to standby for other flights.
Over the years, consumer-advocacy groups had condemned the charge of change fees by airlines an act those groups regarded as unfair to travellers. Airlines had, until this year, resisted eliminating or reducing the fees, with the exception being Southwest Airlines, which did not charge the fees.
But the coronavirus downturn has shifted the industry, forcing carriers to broadly overhaul their businesses in response to a drastic collapse in demand. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United had already waived the fees temporarily.
Starting 1 January, United Airlines will allow all customers to “fly standby for free on a flight departing the day of their travel regardless of the type of ticket or class”, the airline stated.
“Following previous tough times, airlines made difficult decisions to survive, sometimes at the expense of customer service,” United chief executive Scott Kirby says. “United Airlines won’t be following that same playbook as we come out of this crisis. Instead, we’re taking a completely different approach – and looking at new ways to serve our customers better,” they added.
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