Airlines & Bereavement Policies

The majority of airlines in the US offer discounted airfares in the event of a death or imminent death in the family of an airline customer. These discounted fares are known as compassionate or bereavement fares.

Family Members

Continental Airlines reports it offers bereavement airfares to customers if proof can be shown of the relationship between the deceased and the customer. Family members eligible for a discounted bereavement fare include a spouse, brother, sister, son, daughter or grandparent.

Documentation

Delta Airlines explains its policy on bereavement fares includes the presentation of certain documentation before the return flight is embarked upon. Required documentation includes a death certificate, as well as the address and telephone number of the funeral home or hospital handling the funeral services.

Time

Fares offered for bereavement discounts must be booked over the telephone; they must be booked within a specific time period, Delta Airlines requires the booking to be made within three days of the death. Return dates are usually not set, with an open-ended return offer that can be booked within one year of the outward flight.

References

• Air Timetable: Bereavement & Emergency Airfares
• Continental Airlines: Compassion (Bereavement) Fares
• Delta: Bereavement