Hurricane Irma Prompts Airlines to Cap Costs

The 2017 hurricane season is proving to be record setting. Many of those in the path of Hurricane Irma are under evacuation orders. With gas in short supply in some areas, many are seeking to travel by air to a safe location. While there have been some reported incidents of price gouging as supplies run short, some airlines have set caps for what they will charge for flights out of the affected areas.

Jet Blue, for example, has cut its fares for any remaining seats in affected areas. Similarly, American Airlines has capped prices in economy (main cabin) at $99 for flights out of Miami, where it has a hub. Most of American’s flights are reportedly sold out, and American states that it is working to add flights. Delta has limited its ticket prices out of South Florida and the Caribbean to $399 and reportedly has more availability on flights, but its flights from South Florida, including Miami, are more limited. All three airlines have stated that these price limitations will remain in effect through September 13, 2017.

As we all know, booking within a few days of or the day of travel, as opposed to an advanced purchase ticket, generally results in a much higher fare. It’s good to see the airlines are cutting a break to those at risk from Hurricane Irma.