Losing someone, or learning a loved one doesn’t have much time left, is hard enough without also having to scramble for a last-minute flight. If you’re in that situation right now, here’s a clear, current picture of which airlines still offer bereavement fares in 2026 and what they actually provide.
The Airlines Still Offering Bereavement Fares
As of 2026, a small group of carriers maintains formal bereavement fare programs:
- Delta Air Lines — offers bereavement fares for both domestic and international travel, and waives service fees for eligible SkyMiles members.
- Alaska Airlines — offers a 10% discount off the lowest available fare for immediate family bereavement, generally requiring travel within 7 days.
- Hawaiian Airlines — follows the same bereavement policy as Alaska, since the two airlines share identical programs following their 2024 merger.
- Air Canada — maintains a bereavement fare program for qualifying travelers.
- WestJet — offers bereavement-related fare flexibility as well.
- Lufthansa — one of the few international carriers still offering a formal bereavement program.
Airlines That No Longer Offer Bereavement Fares
It’s worth knowing this too, so you don’t spend precious time searching for something that isn’t there: American Airlines and United Airlines eliminated their formal bereavement fare programs around 2014–2015, and neither currently offers a guaranteed bereavement discount. Southwest Airlines never had a bereavement fare program, but its no-fee change and cancellation policy, along with its Low Fare Calendar, can still make it a genuinely practical option during a family emergency.
What the Discount Actually Looks Like
Bereavement fares typically offer a modest 5–10% discount off the full, unrestricted fare — not off already-discounted sale prices. In many cases, the real value isn’t the discount itself but the flexibility that comes with it: waived change fees, more forgiving cancellation terms, and the ability to adjust your travel dates without steep penalties as funeral arrangements shift, which they often do.
An Important Thing to Know Before You Book
A bereavement fare is not always the cheapest option available. Because the discount applies to the full fare rather than promotional or advance-purchase pricing, a standard last-minute fare — especially one found through a flexible-date search — can sometimes beat the bereavement rate. It’s worth comparing bereavement fares against the airline’s regular last-minute pricing before assuming the bereavement program is your best deal.
How to Actually Book One
Every airline still offering bereavement fares requires you to call their reservations line directly — none of these fares are available through online booking. Have your travel dates, destination, and a general sense of the situation ready when you call, and be prepared to provide documentation (a death certificate, a funeral home letter, or a physician’s letter for a terminal diagnosis) typically within 7–14 days after your trip.
Who Usually Qualifies
Most programs define “immediate family” to include parents, siblings, children, spouses, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal guardians, though the exact definition varies by airline. It’s worth asking directly when you call, since a relationship that feels immediate to you may or may not match the airline’s specific policy language.
Bottom Line
If you’re facing a sudden loss or a loved one’s final days, Delta, Alaska, Hawaiian, Air Canada, WestJet, and Lufthansa are your options for a formal bereavement fare in 2026. Call the airline directly, have your documentation ready, and take a moment to compare the bereavement rate against a regular last-minute fare — sometimes the flexibility matters more than the discount itself, but it’s worth knowing which one actually saves you money in your specific situation.
