Travel Alerts: Wildfires Disrupt Flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles

The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for Los Angeles, and major airlines are providing complimentary flight changes for travelers from Vancouver due to the unprecedented California fires.

The Government of Canada reports that numerous wildfires ignited in Southern California on January 7 and 8, including the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire in the Altadena vicinity, which borders Pasadena.

Sadly, five individuals have lost their lives in the fires, and over 100,000 residents have been compelled to evacuate their residences, while iconic landmarks are facing danger.

Approximately 2,000 homes, businesses, and various structures have been obliterated, with expectations for the figure to rise.

Water-bombing pilots and teams from Quebec, along with a company from British Columbia, are currently battling the fierce winds feeding the flames in Southern California.

Canada issues a travel advisory for Los Angeles

Canada recommends that travelers journeying to Southern California be aware that officials have issued a “life-threatening windstorm warning” affecting Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

A State of Emergency has been proclaimed as the historic blazes continue to necessitate evacuation mandates for various populous regions.

Several roadways are closed due to the fire, and thick smoke has diminished visibility for motorists. Moreover, smoke and ash have compromised the quality of air.

Extensive power outages are affecting sections of Los Angeles County.

While flights to LAX have not yet faced cancellation, the situation is quickly changing and travelers may become stranded.

Individuals in the impacted zones should keep abreast of local news for updates and heed the guidance of local emergency service personnel, including any evacuation notices.

Winter storms in the United States may also impact YVR travelers

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) maintains on its website that it is “open and functioning normally,” yet passengers should verify their flight status with their respective airlines.

Travelers heading to YVR may also face cancellations regarding flights to U.S. cities as intense winter storms affect Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Per Vancouver International Airport’s (YVR) departures page, all planned flights to LAX are currently adhering to the schedule for Thursday. However, five flights to Dallas have been cancelled due to the severe winter storm impacting Texas.

According to YVR’s arrivals page, a flight from LAX landed without complications at 10 a.m. on Thursday, with nine other flights projected to arrive on schedule. Two flights expected from Dallas have been cancelled.

WestJet modifies ticketing policies for L.A. passengers

WestJet has adjusted its ticketing procedures, allowing passengers to make one change to their itinerary, such as a modification or cancellation, at no cost for flights to Los Angeles through Saturday, January 11 due to the wildfires.

• If travelers cancel their reservation, the funds will be refunded or credited in accordance with the fare class booked. Tickets acquired in UltraBasic will receive travel credit. In case of a cancellation, any portion covered by WestJet dollars, Travel Bank credit, or a WestJet rewards companion voucher will return to the user’s account with the original expiration date (if applicable) retained.

• In instances where the payment made with WestJet dollars or a WestJet rewards companion voucher has expired or is expiring within 60 days, a new expiration date will be issued 60 days from the reinstatement date.

• Any segment paid with WestJet dollars or Travel Bank credit will revert to the traveler’s account, preserving the original expiration date (if applicable).

• Changes or cancellations must be requested more than two hours prior to departure.

WestJet is extending the same ticketing policy to customers traveling to Atlanta on Friday, January 10 during the winter storm.

Air Canada adjusts ticketing policies for L.A. passengers

Canada’s primary airline has modified its ticketing guidelines, permitting travelers destined for or returning from Los Angeles on Saturday, January 11 to change their itinerary without incurring additional charges, based on availability. The airline cautions that “flights may be affected due to forest fires.”

Customers of Air Canada with affected flights should retrieve their bookings online to initiate modifications.

Travelers with tickets bought through Air Canada Vacations should contact 1-800-296-3408.

Those with flights to L.A. should also verify their flight status using the airline’s automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533 prior to their journey.

Air Canada has further updated its ticketing policy to allow travelers bound for or returning from Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, and Dallas through Friday, January 10 to modify their itineraries without incurring extra fees due to “winter operational conditions,” space permitting.

Flair Airlines

Flair Airlines operates a few direct flights weekly between YVR and LAX. The airline informed V.I.A. that “extreme weather conditions can lead to delays or cancellations for some flights.”

The airline conveyed to V.I.A. that its customers with flights to and from LAX until January 12 can amend their reservations without incurring a change fee (one-time waiver on the change fee; fare difference or cancellation charges may apply).

With contributions from The Canadian Press

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