Virgin Air is one of the first airlines to issue a statement concerning both flight statuses and alternate travel arrangements for flight changes after the Asiana Boeing 777 crash earlier today.
The crash at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) occurred just before 11:30am local time. Unconfirmed reports indicate two have died.
In the statement released on their site, Virgin Air said:
Guests are advised that due to a major incident involving another carrier on the runway at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and a resulting ground stop in effect at SFO until 20:00 PDT on July 6, 2013, flights operating to and from San Francisco may be delayed or cancelled. Virgin America guests are advised to check their flight status: http://www.virginamerica.com/flight-status.html.
Guests with confirmed flights departing to or originating from SFO on July 6th-8th, 2013, may change their travel date without paying change fees or the difference in fares*. Original travel must have been booked on or before July 6, 2013. Travel changes must be made by July 8 and new travel must begin by July 8, 2013 with return travel commencing no later than one year from the original ticket issue date. Guests flying on the above dates who have flexible travel plans, may change using our new online rebooking option here or by calling 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474).**
Travel Agents: No waiver code is required if changes/cancels/exchanges are made within the restrictions of the current policy. All inventory must be rebooked within the same cabin of service.
Other airlines are expected to issue similar statements soon – we will be watching and reporting as they come in.