How to Change or Cancel American Airlines Flights Affected by Coronavirus

This page will be frequently updated as new information becomes available.

Updated March 31, 2020

Please note: If you purchased your American Airlines tickets through a travel agent or online travel agency such as Orbitz, you will need to contact them to cancel or change your flights, in addition to being familiar with the airline policies outlined below.

American Airlines is waiving change fees for certain dates of travel and for travel in certain areas, due to the coronavirus pandemic. When you rebook, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay any difference in fare between the new itinerary and the originally ticketed flights.

American is advising that due to extremely high call volume you do not call their customer service line unless you are scheduled to travel within 72 hours. All other changes or cancellations should be completed online.

If you’re not able to get through to their customer service to cancel your flight before it departs, American Airlines will allow you to rebook later with no change fee. Your ticket will retain its original value but if the fare on the new itinerary you book is more than the original, you will have to pay the difference.

You can change your ticket without paying a change fee, or you can cancel the ticket and receive a travel credit you can use at a later date, provided:

• You purchased a ticket before March 1, 2020 for travel through May 31, 2020
• You purchased a ticket between March 1 -March 31, 2020 for any future travel

To change an American Airlines flight that has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, log into the trip finder and select the desired flight. If the flight is eligible for the fee waiver, you’ll see “Change Trip” in the toolbar. Select it to begin the search for a new flight.

To cancel an American Airlines flight that has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, log into the trip finder and select the desired flight. Select “Cancel Trip” in the toolbar.

You will be issued a credit for the unused portion of the ticket. To rebook, call American Airlines reservations and provide your ticket number and confirmation number.

Scroll down to check if your ticket is eligible for a waiver.

Flights purchased before March 1, 2020

• American Airlines will waive change fees for tickets purchased before March 1, 2020 for travel from March 1 through May 31, 2020.
• Rebooked travel must begin by December 31, 2020 or one year from the original purchase date, whichever is earlier.
• You will be responsible for any difference in fare between the new flights and the original flights.
• Follow instructions above to change your flight, or to cancel and receive credit toward future ticket purchases.

Australia flights

• American Airlines will waive change fees for tickets purchased before March 16, 2020 for travel to, from, or through airports in Australia between March 16 – May 31, 2020.
• Rebooked travel must begin by December 31, 2020 or one year from the original purchase date, whichever is earlier.
• You will be responsible for any difference in fare between the new flights and the original flights.
• Follow instructions above to change your flight, or to cancel and receive credit toward future ticket purchases.

Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America flights

• American Airlines will waive change fees for tickets purchased before March 22, 2020 for travel from March 16 through May 31, 2020 to, from, or through airports in the following locations:

• You can rebook your flights now or later.
• Rebooked travel must begin by December 31, 2020 or one year from the original purchase date, whichever is earlier.
• You will be responsible for any difference in fare between the new flights and the original flights.
• Follow instructions above to change your flight, or to cancel and receive credit toward future ticket purchases.

China flights (PEK and PVG)

American Airlines will waive change fees for tickets purchased on or before January 24, 2020 for travel from January 24 – October 23, 2020 to, from, or through Beijing (PEK) or Shanghai (PVG) International Airports. See below for Wuhan (WUH).

• Rebooked travel must begin by December 31, 2020 or one year from the original purchase date.
• Changes must be made by October 23, 2020.
• Change fees are also waived if you can change your destination to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).
• You will be responsible for any difference in fare between the new flights and the original flights.
• Follow instructions above to change your flight, or to cancel and receive credit toward future ticket purchases.

China flights (WUH)

American Airlines is allowing you to cancel and receive a refund for any flight segments not flown that involve Wuhan Airport (WUH) for flight tickets purchased on or before January 23, 2020 for travel January 23 – March 31, 2020.

NOTE: In order to receive the refund you must cancel your flights before the outbound flight departs.

Europe and Middle East flights

American Airlines will waive change fees for tickets purchased on or before March 16, 2020 for travel from March 11 – May 31, 2020 to, from, or through airports in the following locations:

• You can rebook your flights now or later.
• Rebooked travel must begin by December 31, 2020 or one year from the original purchase date, whichever is earlier.
• You will be responsible for any difference in fare between the new flights and the original flights.
• Follow instructions above to change your flight, or to cancel and receive credit toward future ticket purchases.

Hong Kong flights

American Airlines will waive change fees for tickets purchased on or before January 28, 2020 for travel from January 28 – July 1, 2020 to, from, or through Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

• Rebooked travel must begin by August 31, 2020 or one year from the original purchase date.
• Changes must be made by July 1, 2020.
• Change fees are also waived if you can change your destination to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).
• You will be responsible for any difference in fare between the new flights and the original flights.
• Follow instructions above to change your flight, or to cancel and receive credit toward future ticket purchases.

India flights

American Airlines will waive change fees for tickets purchased on or before March 10, 2020 for travel from February 24 – May 1, 2020 to, from, or through the following airports in India:

• Rebooked travel must begin within one year of original ticket purchase date.
• Changes must be made by April 14, 2020.
• You will have to pay any difference in fare between the old ticket and the new.

South Korea flights

American Airlines will waive change fees for tickets purchased on or before February 24, 2020 for travel from February 24 – May 1, 2020 to, from, or through Seoul International Airport (ICN).

• Rebooked travel must begin by June 30, 2020 or one year from the original purchase date.
• Changes must be made by May 1, 2020.
• Change fees are also waived if you can change your destination to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).
• You will be responsible for any difference in fare between the new flights and the original flights.
• Follow instructions above to change your flight, or to cancel and receive credit toward future ticket purchases.