In Times of Loss, These Airlines Provide Discounted Fares

After the passing of a loved one, there are numerous tasks to manage, and if you live far away, booking a flight is often one of the most urgent.

Funerals are usually held shortly after a person's passing, leading to higher last-minute airfare. Although not widely available, some airlines do offer bereavement fares—discounted or flexible tickets meant for those needing to travel urgently due to the death (or impending death) of a close relative. These fares aim to alleviate financial stress during a challenging time, offering both cost savings and flexibility in travel arrangements.

Bereavement fare policies differ among airlines, but generally, travelers must provide documentation of the situation, such as a death certificate, a hospital statement, or contact details for the funeral home.

Continue reading to discover which North American airlines currently provide bereavement fares and the qualifications needed to obtain them.

Alaska Airlines

In times of grief, Alaska Airlines provides a 10% discount off the lowest available fare for travel to any of its destinations, as long as the journey occurs within seven days of the loss. This offer extends to flights operated on behalf of Alaska by Horizon or SkyWest.

This reduced fare is accessible to those who have experienced the loss of a spouse or domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, including stepfamily and in-law relationships that fall within these categories.

However, this discount cannot be combined with other offers, such as frequent flyer miles or the annual buy-one-get-one ticket deal available to Alaska Air-branded credit card holders, which only requires payment of taxes and fees for the companion ticket. Customers over 18 must be members of the Alaska Mileage Plan and include their plan numbers in the reservation. Travelers aged 17 and under are not required to be Mileage Plan members to access these fares.

To make a booking, contact Alaska’s reservations department at 1-800-252-7522. Note that this reduced fare is only applicable for new ticket purchases, so avoid booking through the website first.

Air Canada

Air Canada provides discounted bereavement fares for economy-class tickets worldwide, with prices determined on a case-by-case basis. Travel must start within 10 days of booking, but the return can be scheduled anytime within 60 days, which can be beneficial when managing the affairs of the deceased.

To be eligible, the deceased must be a current or former spouse, child, parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling, or legal guardian. This also encompasses step, half, and in-law relationships. You must submit proof of death, such as a death certificate, a statement from a funeral director or coroner, or a letter from the treating physician on official letterhead. This documentation should be emailed to [email protected] within seven days of your return flight, or you may be charged the full fare.

For bookings, contact Air Canada’s customer service at 1-888-247-2262.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines provides bereavement tickets for both domestic and international flights when the deceased is an immediate family member. According to Delta's policy, this includes spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, siblings, step-siblings, stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Although the airline does not offer a discount, it does waive service and change fees on these tickets, which can be beneficial for travelers anticipating changes to their plans.

To book these fares, passengers must contact Delta's reservations team by phone, as these tickets cannot be booked online. Call 1-800-221-1212 for domestic flights or 1-800-241-4141 for international flights. You must be a SkyMiles member (Delta's complimentary loyalty program) and provide the deceased's name, your relationship to them, and the contact number for the funeral home, hospital, or hospice.