Multiple wildfires are raging in Southern California, prompting a travel advisory from Canada and free flight changes from major airlines. The fires have caused significant damage, evacuations, and travel disruptions.
Canada has issued a Los Angeles travel advisory and top airlines are offering free flight changes for Vancouver travellers amid the historic California fires. The Government of Canada says multiple wildfires broke out in Southern California on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, including the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire in Altadena, adjacent to Pasadena.
Five people have died in the fires, more than 100,000 people have been forced from their homes and famous landmarks have come under threat. Nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed and the number is expected to increase. Water-bombing pilots and crews from Quebec and a British Columbia company are already fighting the wind-whipped flames in the Southern California city. Canada advises travellers headed to Southern California that authorities issued a 'life-threatening windstorm warning' across Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Authorities have declared a State of Emergency as the historic fires continue to force evacuation orders for several densely populated areas. Certain roads are closed due to fire and heavy smoke has reduced visibility for driving. Additionally, smoke and ash have deteriorated air quality. Widespread power outages are also affecting parts of Los Angeles County. While flights to LAX haven't been cancelled yet, the situation is evolving rapidly and travellers may be stranded. Travellers in the affected areas should monitor local news for updates and follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel, including any evacuation orders. Winter storms in the United States may also affect YVR travellers Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) states on its website that it is 'open and operating normally' but passengers should check with their airlines about their flight status. Travellers headed to YVR may also have flights cancelled to U.S. cities as potent winter storms impact Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. According to Vancouver International Airport's (YVR) departures page, all scheduled flights to LAX are on schedule for Thursday. Five flights to Dallas are cancelled amid the potent winter storm affecting Texas. According to YVR's arrivals page, a flight from LAX arrived without issue at 10 a.m. on Thursday and 9 other flights are scheduled to arrive on time. Two flights expected to come from Dallas are cancelled. WestJet has revised its ticketing policy to allow passengers to make a single change to their itinerary, such as a change or cancellation, for free for flights to Los Angeles through Saturday, Jan. 11 due to the wildfires. WestJet is also offering the same ticketing policy for its customers headed to Atlanta on Friday, Jan. 10 during the winter storm. Canada's flag carrier has revised its ticketing policy to allow travellers headed to or returning from Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 11 to change their itinerary without paying an additional fee, space permitting. The airline warns that 'flights may be impacted due to forest fires.' Air Canada customers with affected flights should retrieve their booking online to make changes. Travellers with tickets purchased with Air Canada Vacations should call 1-800-296-3408. Travellers with flights visiting L.A. should also check their flight status with the airline's automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533 before they travel. Air Canada has also revised its ticketing policy to allow travellers headed to or returning from Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, and Dallas through Friday, Jan. 10 to change their itinerary without paying an additional fee due to 'winter operational conditions,' space permitting. Flair Airlines has a couple of direct flights between YVR and LAX weekly. The airline told V.I.A. that 'severe weather can cause delays or cancellations for some flights.' The airline told V.I.A. that its customers with flights to and from LAX until Jan. 12 can change their bookings without a change fee (one-time exemption on the change fee, fare difference or cancellation fees apply)
CANADA TRAVEL ADVISORY CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES AIR CANADA WESTJET FLIGHT CHANGES LOS ANGELES TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS AIR TRAVEL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.S. government shutdown could cost travel sector $1B per week, disrupt holiday travelA partial government shutdown could cost the U.S. travel industry US$1 billion per week and lead to widespread disruptions for travelers, a trade group representing airlines, hotels and other travel companies said on Friday.
Read more »
Russia tells its citizens to avoid travel to the U.S., Canada and some EU countriesA spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said relations with the United States were teetering on the verge of rupture
Read more »
Stanley-branded travel mugs recalled after burn incidents: Health CanadaAs of Dec. 12, Stanley has received three reports of incidents in Canada, including one burn injury. In the U.S. 16 incidents were reported, two of those reported burn injuries.
Read more »
Travel risk: Which countries does Canada recommend avoiding?Canadians planning to travel abroad over the holidays should take precautionary steps to ensure they’re not unintentionally putting themselves in harm’s way.
Read more »
Air Canada ordered to pay Yukon couple $10,000 for botched travel plansTosh Southwick told Global News that the ordeal started nearly two years ago when she and her husband were set to take their dream vacation to Cuba in February 2023.
Read more »
Air Canada Targets 36% Revenue Surge by 2028, Fueled by Leisure Travel DemandAir Canada aims for a 36% increase in operating revenue by 2028, driven by strong demand for leisure travel both domestically and internationally. The airline anticipates a post-pandemic surge in air travel, with travelers prioritizing experiences over goods. Air Canada also forecasts adjusted EBITDA between $3.4-billion and $3.8-billion in 2025, exceeding analysts' expectations. The carrier plans to expand its network, focusing on routes to China and the Asia-Pacific region. Air Canada expects operating revenue of approximately $30-billion in 2028 with a core profit margin of 17% or greater.
Read more »