Can I still fly from California to Hawaii? What to know during deadly Maui wildfires
Maui is confronting deadly wildfires, as a dry and windy Hurricane Dora tears through the Hawaiian island, killing 36 people and destroying homes and buildings.
Officials are warning that the death toll may rise due to the large and fast-moving fires, the Associated Press reported. The state issued an emergency proclamation through Aug. 31 and discouraged nonessential travel to Maui.
Airlines are warning customers that the wildfires could affect travel to, from and through the island.
If you recently bought a flight ticket to Maui’s Kahului Airport from California, here’s what to know about your airline. You should check with your airline directly and get flight status to stay up to date.
Delta Airlines
According to the Delta website, affected travel dates as of Thursday are from Aug. 9 to 15.
If you bought your ticket on or before Aug. 10, you can reschedule online, but there are some rules to it.
If you choose to rebook your flight, the new dates must be on or before Aug. 18 and in the same cabin as the previous order. Any price differences will be waived.
If you’re rebooking for after Aug. 18, you’ll have to pay the difference in fare.
If you don’t want to reschedule or cannot do so within the timeline, you can cancel the flight and get credit for another flight within one year of the original purchase.
Hawaiian Airlines
If you were planning to go to Maui from Aug. 9 to 20, and want to change your flight, you can get a travel waiver.
With the waiver, you can reschedule your flight at no added cost and you can also change your travel to another Hawaiian island airport, such as Honolulu, Kona or Hilo. You’ll need to rebook it in the same cabin by Aug. 23 and travel must start by Sept. 1.
You can also cancel the flight and get flight credit, however, fare differences will apply and the credit expires within one year.
Or you can cancel and get a refund on your flight.
To make any of these changes, you’ll need to call the company’s Reservations Department at 1-800-367-5320.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines has a flexible travel policy, so travelers can change or cancel flights online. According to the company website, flights may get delayed or canceled due to the fires. You can get updates on flight statuses online or by notifications.
If you got tickets on or before Aug. 9, you can change your flight without a fee and also change your destination to another Hawaiian island through Aug. 31.
You can also cancel your tickets and request a refund or flight credit in the future.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest customers have until Aug. 14 to change their trip to Maui online or through the mobile app. In order to have no added fees, the new dates must be within 14 days of their original flight and in the same travel class.
You can also change your destination to another island.
If a flight is canceled, you can request a refund.
United Airlines
If you booked a trip with United Airlines on or before Aug. 8, you can change or cancel your ticket online.
The company is allowing customers to reschedule trips at no additional cost, as long as the new flight is between Aug. 8 and 16. It also has to be in the same cabin and the departing and arriving cities must be the same.
If your new trip isn’t within the timeline or you choose a new destination, you may have to pay the fare difference.
If you choose to cancel, you can get a full refund.
American Airlines
American Airlines has not issued a statement or updated its website to provide travel information to Maui.
If you want to cancel your trip and get a refund, you can see if you are eligible for one online.
Air quality
According to the Hawaii State Department of Health, air quality throughout most of the state is “good” as of Thursday morning. However, data was not available for the area near the fires.
What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
