Bereavement flights: how to book and what to expect

Travelling after the loss of a loved one can be emotionally exhausting. Arranging last-minute flights for a funeral or family emergency often happens at a time of profound grief. Although airlines once offered discounted fares to assist families in these moments, most major carriers have discontinued or significantly reduced these programmes. 

This guide explains what bereavement flights are, how they operate today, what documentation you might require and how to find the best fares.

A bereavement flight, also known as a compassionate flight or bereavement fare, is a ticket offered at a reduced price for travellers needing to fly urgently due to a death or serious illness in the family. These fares typically provide flexible dates, waive certain fees and offer partial discounts on last-minute bookings to help individuals reach their loved ones. Over the past decade, many airlines have moved away from formal bereavement fares. Instead, passengers are encouraged to book the best available public fare or manage changes through customer service on a case-by-case basis.

The difference between bereavement and standard fares

Bereavement fares were introduced to lessen the financial burden of urgent travel. 

These tickets typically included:

• Partial fare discounts
• Flexible change or cancellation policies
• Waived booking fees or minimum stay requirements

Standard fares are priced dynamically, meaning costs can increase sharply as departure approaches. Although bereavement fares can be helpful, it is always worth comparing any discount with online prices. Regular fares or promotions can be cheaper, and a bereavement fare might still cost more than the best public price available. 

How to book bereavement flights

Contact the airline directly by phone to check whether you are eligible. Explain your situation and ask whether a bereavement fare or compassionate flight is available for your route. Some airlines allow online booking followed by document submission, while others require you to book by phone so they can verify eligibility.

You may be asked for:

• The name of the deceased or terminally ill family member
• Your relationship to the individual
• Contact details for the hospital, hospice or funeral home
• Dates of travel and any flexibility

If the airline no longer offers bereavement fares, ask about the lowest available fare and whether change fees can be waived.

Before booking:

• Check the lowest public fare available 
• Call the airline to inquire about bereavement fares
• Record the agent’s name and any reference number
• Confirm deadlines for documents and how refunds or adjustments are processed

Bereavement flights are not as common as they once were. Most large international airlines, including British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair, have discontinued such programmes. Some carriers, like Air Canada and Delta, still offer limited options under specific conditions, such as flexible changes or small discounts for immediate family. Policies vary by carrier and route, so always check the airline’s bereavement policy or speak with an agent.

Airline bereavement flight policies

When reviewing an airline's bereavement policy, consider:

• Who qualifies as immediate family
• Whether critical illness is covered
• Which routes or fare types are eligible
• What documents are needed
• Whether changes are free, discounted or at a reduced fee

If the airline does not offer bereavement fares, it may still show goodwill by waiving fees or offering credits. Explain your situation and keep proof ready.

Here are some airlines that have been known to offer compassionate assistance:

• Air Canada: policy offers discounted bereavement fares for travel within 10 days of a family member’s death or critical illness, with proper documentation.
• Delta: offers flexibility and discounted fares for SkyMiles® members needing to travel due to the death of an immediate family member .
• WestJet: flexibility and partial discounts for bereavement travel when documentation is submitted.
• Alaska Airlines: offers a 10% discount off the lowest available fare, if eligible.
• Lufthansa: special fares for outbound and return flights to attend the funeral if their journey starts in the USA or Canada.
• Qantas: has a discounted compassionate fare programme for travel within Australia, both domestic and international.
• Hawaiian Airlines: offers bereavement waivers of change fees or a ticket refund, if your reservation was cancelled following the death of an immediate family member, for flights already purchased.

Bereavement fares are exceptions to standard pricing and come with strict rules. Common conditions include:

• Travel must begin within a short timeframe, often 7–14 days of the death or funeral
• Only certain fare classes qualify
• Proof of relationship and funeral details are required
• Some airlines only refund part of the fare if documents are not submitted on time

Eligibility for bereavement flights

Eligibility depends on each airline’s policy regarding immediate family and the documentation you can provide. If you cannot meet a policy’s terms, you can still cut costs by checking nearby airports, flying mid-week or mixing airlines. Use flexible date tools to see the best public fares across several days.

If you are flying internationally, note that bereavement fares are often available only on routes operated by the same airline. Flights operated by partner airlines may not qualify.

Who qualifies as immediate family?

Most airline bereavement policies apply only to the immediate family. Always verify who qualifies as ‘immediate’ before making a booking. 

Eligibility typically includes:

• Spouse or domestic partner
• Parent or guardian
• Child, stepchild or sibling
• Grandparent or grandchild
• In some cases, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or in-law

Required documentation and proof needed

Having the right documents ready can help speed up verification. You may need:

• Full name of the deceased or the person who is critically ill
• Your relationship to that person
• Name, address and phone number of the hospital, hospice or funeral home
• Date of death, service date or doctor’s letter for critical illness
• Death certificate, obituary notice or letter from a funeral director
• Your booking reference, if you have already purchased tickets

Having this information ready can streamline the process and help airlines verify your eligibility more quickly.

When you contact an airline about how to get a bereavement flight, expect a compassionate yet procedural process. Airline agents will still require proof before providing any discount or flexibility.

Expect the following:

• Verification steps to confirm eligibility
• Possible delays while documents are reviewed
• Payment required upfront, with a partial refund later, if applicable
• Limited or no fare reduction compared to regular tickets

Is a bereavement fare always the cheapest option?

Bereavement fares may not always be the quickest or cheapest option as discounts often apply to full-price flexible fares, not lower online rates. Last-minute flights may be less expensive than a discounted bereavement ticket.

If the lowest public fare is better, choose it.

Before booking, always compare bereavement fares (if available) with the lowest public fares and opt for flexible or refundable options in case plans change. If you are organising travel for a funeral, coordinate with relatives to arrange flights and accommodation together. 

Even if an airline does not offer bereavement flights, there are still ways to manage costs:

• Use flexible date search tools to find cheaper travel days
• Check low-cost carriers, which rarely provide bereavement fares but often have the most affordable last-minute prices
• Ask airline assistance teams about waived change fees or travel credits as a gesture of goodwill
• Purchase single tickets if your return date is uncertain
• Consider hiring a car

Travelling during bereavement involves more than just logistics, and many airlines offer special assistance for travellers in these difficult times.

Although most airlines no longer provide formal bereavement fares, compassionate policies and flexible booking options can still help. By preparing the necessary documentation, carefully comparing prices and understanding how to book a bereavement flight, you can reduce costs and approach travel arrangements with more clarity.