Sen. Schumer praises Delta, Jet Blue response to canceled trips post-Sandy

{mosads}Every major airline dropped change fees for the areas devastated by Sandy in the immediate aftermath of the storm. But now some New York school districts, particularly those in Long Island, are canceling winter break in February in order to make up for days lost during the storm.

On Wednesday, Schumer urged airlines to consider the circumstances and help those forced to cancel previously planned trips. Most airlines, with the exception of Southwest, charge change fees and offer discounted nonrefundable tickets. 

“Many of these school children, faculty and families have gone through extreme personal and economic hardship, and I urge you to take into consideration the unique and unpredictable circumstances that these families were forced into by this devastating storm,” Schumer wrote in the letter.

“Having to cancel a long planned vacation because of the storm is bad, but being forced to shell out hundreds or thousands in cancellation or change fees is worse,” Schumer said in a press release. “Many businesses in the wake of Hurricane Sandy have stepped up to the plate and gone out of their way to help those affected, and I would urge the travel industry to do their part as well.”

Delta Airlines told the New York Daily News that customers with tickets purchased prior to Nov. 19 and departing from New York City or major New Jersey airports from Feb. 15-24 will now be able to reschedule without a change fee, and Jet Blue sent out a press release guaranteeing the same consideration for those who need to voluntarily rebook their flights from those airports.

Other airlines are reportedly still considering Schumer’s request. The New York Senator sent the same letter to the Cruise Lines International Association.