JetBlue and American Airlines Announce Baggage and Change Fee Waivers for Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
In the wake of the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, major airlines are extending special travel waivers for passengers flying to and from Jamaica. Both JetBlue Airways and American Airlines have announced fee waivers and flexible rebooking options for travelers affected by the ongoing recovery efforts in Kingston (KIN) and Montego Bay (MBJ) — two of the island’s busiest airports.
JetBlue Airways Travel Waivers
JetBlue is currently offering two main waivers to assist customers impacted by the storm and subsequent infrastructure challenges:
1. Baggage Fee Waiver
JetBlue is waiving fees for the first two checked bags for passengers traveling to or from Kingston (KIN) and Montego Bay (MBJ) through Friday, November 28, 2025.
Please note: Overweight and oversized baggage fees still apply.
2. Change and Cancel Fee Waivers
To accommodate passengers whose travel plans were disrupted, JetBlue has issued two distinct rebooking periods:
First Waiver:
Applies to travel between Saturday, October 25 and Saturday, November 15, 2025, for tickets booked on or before Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Flights must be rebooked by Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Second Waiver:
Applies to travel between Sunday, November 16, 2025, and Saturday, January 31, 2026, for tickets booked on or before Tuesday, November 4, 2025, due to infrastructure issues at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ).
Rebooked travel is permitted through Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Both waivers include change/cancel fee relief and fare difference coverage.
Passengers whose flights were cancelled by JetBlue because of the hurricane are eligible for a full refund to their original form of payment.
Customers can easily manage or rebook their trips online via JetBlue’s Manage Trips section.
American Airlines Travel Waivers
American Airlines has also introduced flexible options for travelers heading to or from Jamaica.
Waiver Details:
Fees for the first two checked bags are waived, and the weight limit per bag has been temporarily increased to 70 lbs (up from the standard 50 lbs).
Affected Airports:
Kingston (KIN), Montego Bay (MBJ), and Ocho Rios (OCJ).
Travel Dates:
The offer is valid for flights through Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Travelers Encouraged to Check Flight Status Regularly
Both airlines advise passengers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport and to take advantage of flexible rebooking options. Given the scale of disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa, travelers should expect delays or temporary service adjustments as Jamaican airports continue restoration and repairs.
For official updates and waiver details, visit:
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