United Airlines has issued a travel waiver for passengers affected by the ongoing wildfires in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. The waiver applies to travelers booked on United flights from Hollywood Burbank Airport and Los Angeles International Airport between January 7th and 9th. This initiative allows customers to reschedule their trips until January 15th without incurring change fees or fare differences, provided they maintain the same origin, destination, and cabin class.
Flights have been disrupted due to smoke from the fires, with some services forced to divert. A United Airlines flight from Denver and an American Airlines flight from Dallas/Fort Worth were among those redirected to LAX. Passengers reported smelling smoke inside the cabin as aircraft descended, prompting pilots to reroute.
The Palisades fire has burned approximately 3,000 acres, leading to evacuations of around 50,000 people. There is concern that the fire could spread further into Los Angeles, potentially affecting operations at LAX. Emergency services are battling three main fires in the region, with high winds exacerbating their growth.