Sachin Walls
As of January 2025, Southern California is facing devastating wildfires that have engulfed thousands of acres, burnt down homes, and displaced thousands of residents. The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is within the area affected by the fires, and several airlines have issued waivers for change fees, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue. Despite the fires, LAX has stated that it is open and operating normally and that passengers should check their flight status directly with their airline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is LAX closed due to the fires? | No, it is open and operating normally. |
| Is LAX affected by the fires? | Yes, it is within the area affected by the fires. |
| Is there flight disruption? | Yes, but it has been kept to a minimum. |
| What should passengers do? | Check their flight status directly with their airline. |
| Are roads affected? | Yes, there are several road closures due to the fires. |
| What about air quality? | Smoke from the wildfires has significantly impacted air quality. |
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What You'll Learn
- LAX remains open and operational, but passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline
- Airlines such as American, United, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue have issued waivers for change fees
- The fires have caused power outages and road closures, impacting travel to and from the airport
- Smoke from the wildfires has significantly impacted air quality, with 'unhealthy' levels reported across Los Angeles
- The fires have led to widespread evacuations and damage, with thousands of residents displaced
LAX remains open and operational, but passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline
As of January 13, 2025, LAX Airport remains open and operational despite the wildfires affecting Los Angeles and the wider Southern California region. However, travellers are advised to check their flight status directly with their airline, as some carriers have issued waivers for change fees. These include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue.
The wildfires have caused significant disruption to travel in the area, with several road closures in place and some train lines and bus routes impacted. The Pacific Coast Highway, a major road, is shut between the McClure Tunnel in Santa Monica and Topanga Canyon. The fire has also caused power outages, with thousands of homes and businesses left without power.
The safety of residents, visitors, and first responders in the affected areas is the highest priority. The Los Angeles Tourism Board urges everyone to stay informed through the Los Angeles Fire Department for the latest evacuation updates and to follow all warnings and evacuation orders from first responders. The fire department reported that 12 helicopters and six fixed-wing aircraft were being used to fight the fires.
The smoke from the wildfires has also significantly impacted air quality in Malibu, Pasadena, and downtown Los Angeles. The South Coast Air Quality Management District reported 'unhealthy' air levels across multiple neighbourhoods. Travellers with respiratory issues or who are immunocompromised are advised to minimise prolonged outdoor exposure. The National Weather Service has issued critical fire warnings for the region, with winds expected to further spread the flames.
The ongoing wildfires have destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents. As of January 15, 2025, there were three active fires in Los Angeles County: the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, and the Hurst fire. The Pacific Palisades fire alone has displaced more than 30,000 people, with at least 25 reported deaths.
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Airlines such as American, United, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue have issued waivers for change fees
As wildfires rage in Los Angeles County, several airlines have issued waivers for change fees for flights to airports in the Los Angeles area. These include major carriers such as American, United, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue. The waivers apply to flights to or from LAX, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Ontario International Airport, and Santa Ana's John Wayne Airport.
American Airlines is offering a change fee waiver for passengers travelling to, from, or through Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), or Santa Ana/Orange County (SNA) airports in California. This waiver is valid for travel between January 8th and 11th, 2025, and passengers can rebook their travel between January 8th and 16th, 2025, without changing their origin and destination cities. To be eligible for the waiver, passengers must have purchased their tickets by January 7, 2025, and changes must be made by January 11, 2025.
United Airlines is also offering a flexible travel policy for customers impacted by the wildfires. Passengers with flights booked to, from, or through Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), or Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) airports can reschedule their trip without incurring change fees or fare differences. The new flight must be a United flight departing between January 7th and 17th, 2025, and must be in the same cabin class and between the same original cities or one of the specified California destinations.
Delta Air Lines has also waived change fees for tickets originating from the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to anywhere in the world (excluding Basic Economy tickets). While Delta typically does not charge change fees for travel originating within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, there may be a change fee for travel outside this region, ranging from $0 to $400 depending on the origin location and type of fare.
Southwest Airlines is offering travel waivers for customers affected by the Southern California wildfires. Passengers with reservations to, from, or through Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), or Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) airports can rebook their flights within 14 days of their original travel dates without paying change fees. Additionally, if a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, customers may be eligible for a refund for the unused portion of their ticket, even if it was non-refundable.
These change fee waivers provide valuable flexibility for travellers affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles County, allowing them to modify their plans without incurring additional costs.
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The fires have caused power outages and road closures, impacting travel to and from the airport
Wildfires in California have caused power outages and road closures, impacting travel to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The airport is located relatively close to the Palisades fires, which have burned through approximately 20,000 acres and led to mandatory evacuations in Santa Monica and other neighbourhoods.
Power outages have been experienced across the region, with thousands of homes and businesses left without electricity. The City of Malibu has warned travellers to slow down if the power is out in their area and to be prepared to take alternative routes to avoid road closures. Heavy winds and power outages have also caused some traffic lights to malfunction or display blinking red lights, which should be treated as stop signs.
Several major roads have been closed due to the wildfires, including Interstate 405 (I-405) access to Sepulveda Boulevard, the Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) in both directions, I-10 westbound at Lincoln Boulevard, and Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) between the Pacific Coast Highway and Mulholland Drive.
While LAX has stated that it is "operating normally", the fires have impacted travel to and from the airport. Several airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue, have issued waivers for change fees for customers who need to cancel or rearrange their trips. It is recommended that passengers check the status of their flights directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport.
The wildfires have also affected air quality in the region, with smoke impacting areas from Malibu and Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles. Travellers with respiratory issues or immunocompromised individuals are advised to minimise their outdoor exposure and use N95 masks to alleviate the physical impairment caused by the fires.
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Smoke from the wildfires has significantly impacted air quality, with 'unhealthy' levels reported across Los Angeles
While LAX airport remains open and operational, the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have significantly impacted air quality across the city and its neighbourhoods. The South Coast Air Quality Management District reported 'unhealthy' air levels across multiple neighbourhoods, from Malibu and Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles. The smoke from the wildfires has spread across the region, posing risks to residents and travellers, particularly those with respiratory issues or immunocompromised individuals.
The fires have led to widespread evacuations, with the Palisades Fire alone displacing more than 30,000 people. The Los Angeles Tourism Board has emphasised that the safety of residents, visitors, and first responders is their highest priority, urging everyone to stay informed and follow evacuation updates and warnings. The fire department is actively fighting the blazes, with 12 helicopters and six fixed-wing aircraft in operation.
The smoke and ash from the wildfires have degraded air quality, and people in Los Angeles County are advised to minimise prolonged outdoor exposure. This is especially important for children, pregnant individuals, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The use of N95 masks is recommended to help alleviate the physical impact of the smoke and poor air quality. Additionally, travellers and residents can utilise resources like the South Coast AQMD app or website for real-time air quality updates and safety measures.
The wildfires have also impacted travel plans, with several airlines waiving change fees for flights to and from Los Angeles-area airports, including LAX. While LAX is operating normally, passengers are advised to check their flight status directly with their airline. The situation raises concerns about flight disruptions and air quality for those travelling to Los Angeles, with some roads and transport routes affected by the fires.
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The fires have led to widespread evacuations and damage, with thousands of residents displaced
The wildfires in California have caused major evacuations in Los Angeles, with the Palisades fire alone displacing more than 30,000 people. The Pacific Palisades fire, which started on January 7, 2025, has burned through approximately 20,000 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations in Santa Monica and other neighbourhoods. The Eaton fire in Eaton Canyon remains uncontained, with flames rapidly spreading to communities north of Pasadena. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is enforcing a curfew in evacuation order zones from 6 pm to 6 am to prevent looting.
The city of Los Angeles is in a state of emergency due to the wildfires, and there are concerns that the city may not have adequate resources to contend with the fires. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has described the fire behaviour as "extreme", with short and long-range spotting challenging firefighting efforts. The National Weather Service has issued a rare red flag warning for much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, as well as parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
Despite the fires, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has remained open and operational throughout, although about 500 flights were delayed and 13 cancelled over one weekend. The airport has advised passengers to check their flight status directly with their airline. Several airlines have waived change fees for flights to and from LAX, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue.
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Frequently asked questions
LAX airport is open and operating normally, but passengers are advised to check their flight status directly with their airline.
The fires have led to widespread evacuations and damage, with thousands of homes and businesses left without power. Several airlines have issued waivers for change fees for flights to airports in the Los Angeles area. Roads are closed, and train lines and bus routes have been impacted.
The smoke from the wildfires has significantly impacted air quality. The South Coast Air Quality Management District reported 'unhealthy' air levels across multiple neighbourhoods. Travellers with respiratory issues or who are immunocompromised should minimise prolonged outdoor exposure.
As of Wednesday, January 15, there are three active fires in Los Angeles County: the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, and the Hurst fire. The fires have collectively scorched over 40,000 acres and destroyed around 10,000 structures.
