This page outlines exactly which airlines  offer bereavement flights  and also which ones don’t. Now, before I get  into which airlines are  offering these flights, I’m going to quickly explain a  few things about  bereavement flights and  probably also dispel some myths for you  which might save you a  lot of time and hassle. For starters, you should know that although bereavement flights can be discounted up to 50%, they are usually not the cheapest option. These old myths like bereavement flights, standby flights and red eye flights being cheaper are so outdated it’s not even funny.

Bereavement tickets are only offered as full fares, which gives you the advantage of changing your reservation, getting a refund and keeping an open return date. However, the downside of this is that even with a heavy discount, full fares will most likely cost more than a regular cheap ticket, but in a time like this an open ticket might be worth the extra cash. Probably the most annoying thing about getting bereavement flights is the red tape you have to cross in order to actually get the ticket.

Conditions

For starters you’ll have to show proof that you are related to the deceased and you’ll also be asked to provide a death certificate on the return leg of the journey. Some airlines will also ask for the name, address, and telephone number of the funeral home, parlor or mortuary. At last but not least, if you want a bereavement flight you’ll have to call the airline directly. All but one of the airlines  (Continental) require these flights to be booked over the telephone, which really just further adds to the inconvenience of the whole situation. OK, so here’s the list in alphabetical order of airline (scroll down).

Airlines Which DON’T Offer Bereavement/Compassionate Airfares

Airlines Which DO Offer Bereavement/Compassionate Airfares

Air Canada

Bereavement/Compassionate Flights: Yes

Conditions

– you have to call them (can’t book online)

– must be immediate family member

– must supply deceased name and phone number or address of funeral home, physician or hospital

– You must supply some form of legal documentation to be eligible for these fares.

For more information, visit this link.

Air France

Air France offers reduced fares for bereavement, but only between its French locations and its French overseas locations. For other destinations, they recommend taking advantage of trip insurance. For more information, visit this link.

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand offers compassionate and bereavement fares in cases of emergencies. The airline requires that travel occurs within seven days of a death and within 72 hours of an emergency. For more information, visit this link.

American Airlines

American Airlines does offer bereavement and compassionate fares in cases of emergencies. Arrangements must be made directly through American Airlines by calling 1-800-433-7300. For more information click here.

Continental

Continental Airlines was acquired by United Airlines. United Airlines does offer compassionate and bereavement fare discounts of five percent off for the death or medical emergency of an immediate family member. Documentation is required. For more information visit this link.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines does offer bereavement airfares. You can’t book these types of flights online, you have to call them to book these using the numbers found here.

Conditions: The flight has to be for a death or imminent death of an immediate family member. You have to provide the following information on booking these flights with

Delta:

– name of the deceased

– your relationship to them

– name and contact number of the funeral home, hospital, doctor or hospice

Travel must be within 3 days of the death and you may be asked for verification of the required documentation.

You can find more detailed information here.

Lufthansa

In case of the death of an immediate family member, Lufthansa does offer special bereavement fares. These are available for flights originating in Canada and the United States. For more information, contact Lufthansa’s reservation line.

Qantas

Qantas does offer compassionate fares for travel within Australia for cases of bereavement of emergency illness. Documentation will be required and arrangements should be made by calling the airline. For more information, visit this link.

United Airlines

United Airlines does offer compassionate and bereavement fare discounts of five percent off for the death or medical emergency of an immediate family member. Documentation is required. For more information visit this link.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic has a bereavement and compassionate care policy that includes the ability to cancel bookings if you are currently booked or traveling as well as the ability to book the lowest published fare and waive advance notice fees and other charges in the case of the death or illness of an immediate family member. Documentation is required. For more information visit this link.

Vueling

Vueling has a policy that allows for the cancellation of a ticket that has been booked in the case of bereavement or medical emergency, but does not offer reduced fares in cases of bereavement or emergency.

Westjet

Westjet offers bereavement fares that can be booked directly through their call center. Although the will waive fees in cases of bereavement, they also urge passengers to check their website, as published fares may be cheaper than the discounts being offered. For more information visit this link.

Bereavement Flights Final Tips

To be honest, at a time like this saving a few bucks shouldn’t really be a priority. Just pick one of the airlines above and give them a call if you want to do it, otherwise visit our home page a learn how to get cheap flights using lots of other cools tricks.

Even if you don’t do it now, be sure to bookmark this page and come back later.

Insanely cheap flights are right behind the next door!