Here’s How Airlines Are Handling Flights to the Caribbean

Many American travelers chose to visit Puerto Rico and the Caribbean over the holiday season, and they could face extreme difficulty returning to the United States. United States military operations in Venezuela have disrupted normal flight patterns, and several airlines are avoiding the Venezuelan airspace as a result.

Several U.S.-based airlines have announced contingency plans to get travelers home or to another destination after the sudden, overnight military operations began. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport - the largest airport in Puerto Rico - was among several airports to suspend operations over the weekend, and some are gradually reopening on Sunday.

Those heading to Puerto Rico and those who have plans to return will be able to explore alternative means of reaching their destination, and several top airlines are offering flight changes without fees or fare differences.

Major Airlines Adjust to Airspace Closure

American Airlines passengers traveling to or from San Juan (SJU), Aruba (AUA), Antigua (ANU), St. Thomas (STT), St. Maarten (SXM) and other local airports are eligible for new bookings without change fees through January 4.

JetBlue customers, many of whom are traveling through airports like Aguadilla (BQN), Ponce (PSE), Aruba, Curaçao (CUR) and St. Lucia (UVF), are eligible to change or cancel their flights free of charge. Passengers are able to rebook through January 10, and flights that were booked before January 3 can be refunded.

Southwest passengers traveling to San Juan, Aruba and Punta Cana (PUJ) may have their flights disrupted by the changes to Caribbean air space. The airline is offering a full 14 days for customers to rebook flights or head to travel standby. If flights are significantly delayed or canceled altogether, refunds may be available.

Other Airlines Offer Fee Waivers, Travel Credit

Frontier is waiving cancellation fees for flights taking place on January 3 and 4 at San Juan, Ponce, Aguadilla (BQN), Aruba and St. Maarten. Cancellation fees at and from these airports may still apply, and canceled voyages will be returned to customers in the form of travel credit.

Finally, Spirit Airlines is waiving charges and fare differences for flights to or from San Juan, Aruba, St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Passengers will be able to rebook their flights until January 11 on the popular budget airline.

AAA projected that 122.4 million Americans would travel more than 50 miles from their homes this holiday season, and some of those holiday trips have now extended well into the new year after the sudden, abrupt closure of airspace in the Carribean.

With a plan to get travelers home after significant delays and cancellations, we'll see what the next few weeks hold in store for those looking to travel to and from the Caribbean as the military operations continue.