Airlines across the Pacific, including Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines, have quickly introduced flexible change and waiver policies after tsunami disruptions caused by the July 30, 2025, earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. These new rules help travelers affected by canceled or delayed flights, with immediate effect.
Hawaiian Airlines has issued a travel waiver for flights to and from Oahu, Kona, Kauai, and Maui for July 29–30, 2025. Passengers can reschedule flights at no extra cost—no change fees or fare differences if rebooked in the same cabin and city pair. Travelers may also cancel and keep the ticket value for future use, valid for one year from the original purchase date. Rebooking must occur by July 29, 2025, and travel must start by August 3, 2025. For help, customers can call 1-800-367-5320 or use live chat on the Hawaiian Airlines website.
Alaska Airlines has suspended all Hawaii-bound flights, rerouting planes back to the mainland. Their flexible travel policy lets passengers change or cancel flights without penalty. Travelers should check flight status before going to the airport and use alaskaair.com for updates.
American Airlines has also rolled out a waiver for flights to and from Hawaii and Japan. Change fees are waived for all fare classes, including Basic Economy. Tickets must be purchased by July 29, 2025, and travel scheduled for July 29–31, 2025. Changes must be booked by August 3, 2025, and travel completed within one year of the original ticket date. Fare differences may apply if changing cabins or city pairs.
Other major airlines, such as Delta, Southwest, Japan Airlines, and ANA, have adopted similar flexible change and waiver policies. Flights to and from affected airports in Japan and the United States 🇺🇸 West Coast have been delayed, canceled, or diverted.
Key steps for affected travelers:
– Check flight status on the airline’s website or app before leaving for the airport.
– Change or cancel flights online, by phone, or through the original booking agent.
– Rebook within the waiver window (usually by August 3, 2025, for Hawaii/Japan routes).
– Keep all documentation for future reference.
– Monitor ongoing alerts from airlines and local authorities.
Airline spokespeople stress that passenger safety and flexibility are top priorities. The National Weather Service and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center continue to provide updates, working with airlines and airports for real-time risk checks. Airport authorities have closed or limited operations at affected airports and are helping stranded passengers.
Earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula
Travel waiver for Hawaiian Airlines flights effective
Tickets must be purchased for American Airlines
Travel scheduled for American Airlines flights
Deadline for rebooking flights under waivers
The July 30, 2025, tsunami warning has caused widespread travel problems across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Japan, and the United States 🇺🇸. This event follows a trend since the COVID-19 pandemic, where airlines have adopted more flexible policies during major disruptions. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes are now industry standard.
Travelers can find the latest official tsunami updates at tsunami.gov. Acting quickly, keeping records, and staying informed will help travelers manage their plans during these tsunami disruptions.
Learn Today
Tsunami → A large ocean wave caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, potentially threatening coastal areas.
Change fee waiver → A policy allowing passengers to alter flight bookings without paying usual change fees during disruptions.
Basic Economy → A restrictive airline fare class with limited change or cancellation options, now waived for emergencies.
Rebooking window → The deadline by which travelers must reschedule flights to use waived change and cancellation fees.
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center → An agency monitoring seismic events and issuing tsunami warnings impacting Pacific region travel.
This Article in a Nutshell
After the July 30, 2025 Kamchatka earthquake, Pacific airlines swiftly implemented flight waivers. Travelers can reschedule or cancel Hawaii-bound flights freely amid tsunami disruptions, ensuring flexibility during widespread travel delays and cancellations across the Pacific region’s airports.
— By VisaVerge.com
