Volcanic eruptions are extreme, unpredictable natural events that can ground flights, close airspace, or force major operational disruptions due to ash clouds, visibility, or safety concerns. Because these events are beyond an airline’s control, many carriers — including Delta — may offer travel waivers or exception policies to reduce the burden on passengers.

A waiver in this context means that Delta relaxes or suspends some of its usual rules (change fees, cancellation penalties, rebooking restrictions) for flights to/from/through impacted airports or regions within specific dates. These waivers aim to help travelers avoid losses caused by volcanic disruptions.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• How Delta defines and issues volcanic waivers

• Typical waiver provisions (fee waivers, refunds, rebooking)

• Real examples (e.g. Volcano Fuego, Popocatépetl)

• How to use a waiver (step by step)

• Limitations, documentation, and pitfalls

• FAQs

Let’s dig in — and if you want help applying a waiver to your ticket, you can call [☎‪‪‪‪+1 (888) 263-37-15‬‬].

Delta’s Volcanic Eruption Waiver / Exception Policy

What is a “Travel Exception / Waiver” Policy?

Delta maintains a Travel Exception / Waiver Policy for events like natural disasters, volcanic eruptions, political unrest, and severe weather. These exception policies are special bulletins that override certain standard fare rules for affected travelers. Under such a waiver, Delta may:

• Waive change fees or administrative service charges

• Waive cancellation penalties for nonrefundable tickets

• Permit rebooking / rerouting even if the fare rules don’t normally allow it

• Provide refunds (or partial refunds) for unused portions

• Extend validity windows for rebooking

• Require special waiver codes and PNR documentation

The waiver only applies to tickets to/from/through affected cities or regions, for travel dates specified in the bulletin, and for tickets issued by or before certain dates. It does not apply universally to all flights.

Delta publishes these waivers as bulletins in its Policy Library / Travel Exception archives (for travel agencies and internal use). These bulletins list waiver codes, OSI (Other Supplementary Information) requirements, reissue or refund deadlines, and covered airports. (Example: Popocatépetl volcano eruption waiver) Delta Professional

Example: Volcano Fuego (2018) Waiver

A notable example is Delta’s waiver during the Volcano Fuego in Guatemala in June 2018. In that case:

• Delta offered a waiver to travelers to/from Guatemala City (GUA) and impacted routes, for June 3–5, 2018. Delta Professional

• Tickets could be rebooked / reissued without change fees if conditions met (ticket not reissued yet, travel not commenced, departure more than 3 hours ahead). Delta Professional

• Return or unaffected segments had more flexibility. Delta Professional

• If rebooking was not possible or acceptable, the passenger could cancel and use the unused value toward new tickets (within one year). Delta Professional

• Agents had to place waiver codes (e.g. A2J4Z for cabin‑to‑cabin rebooking) and document OSI entries (e.g. “DL CHANGES PER VOL FUEGO 03JUN18”). Delta Professional

This shows that the waiver gives flexibility beyond usual fare rules but with conditions.

Example: Popocatépetl Volcano Eruption (2024)

A more recent example is the Popocatépetl volcano eruption impacting Mexico City (MEX) in February 2024. Delta’s waiver bulletin included:

• For tickets issued on or before Feb 27, 2024

• Travel impacted Feb 27–28, 2024

• Covered to/from/through Mexico City (MEX)

• Waiver codes: W5W8H (cabin to cabin) and M5E6X (change fee / basic economy cancellation) Delta Professional

• Requirement: PNR must include OSI “DL CHANGES PER POPO MEX 27FEB24”

• If no acceptable alternate rebooking is available, agents may refund totally unused nonrefundable tickets via ARC/BSP, with OSI “DL REFUNDED PER POPO MEX 27FEB24” Delta Professional

• Tickets must be reissued by March 1, 2024; new travel must begin by that date. Delta Professional

This illustrates the mechanics: codes, documentation, and tight deadlines.

Volcanic Waiver vs Regular Waiver

Note that volcanic eruption waivers are a subset of Delta’s broader Travel Exception / Waiver policies (for weather, natural disasters, etc.). The structure is similar:

• Triggered by a defined event (volcano)

• Covers specific regions / airports

• Limited travel dates / ticket issue dates

• Requires waiver codes, PNR documentation

• Allows fee waiver, rebooking, cancellation, or refund

So if a volcanic eruption causes cancellations in your route, you’ll want to see if a specific waiver bulletin has been issued.

How to Apply / Use a Volcanic Waiver (Step by Step)

If you believe your Delta flight is impacted by a volcanic eruption and eligible for the waiver, here’s how to apply it:

1. Determine if your flight / region is included

• Check Delta’s Travel Exception / Waiver bulletins for volcano events, especially in the Policy Library

• See whether your origin, destination, or connecting city is among the impacted airports

• Check if your travel dates fall within the waiver’s “impacted travel dates” range

• Check if your ticket issue date is on or before the waiver’s cutoff date (some waivers require ticket issuance by a certain date)

• Confirm your flight segment’s route is covered (Delta mainline, Delta connection, or partner codes, as specified)

If your flight is outside the affected zone or date range, the waiver will not apply.

2. Contact Delta or your travel agency

• If your ticket was booked via a travel agency, contact them and mention the volcanic waiver bulletin

• If booked directly with Delta, contact Delta Reservations

• Reference the waiver bulletin (if you found it) and request them to apply the waiver code

3. Ask the agent to apply the waiver code and document your PNR

• Agents, when processing your change, must input the correct waiver code (as per the bulletin, e.g. “W5W8H” or “M5E6X”)

• They must add an OSI (Other Supplementary Information) remark in your PNR, such as “DL CHANGES PER POPO MEX 27FEB24” or “DL CHANGES PER VOL FUEGO 03JUN18” Delta Professional+1

• The waiver codes or OSI comments must be added before the ticket is reissued or itinerary changed

• If the ticket is reissued after the waiver deadline or without proper OSI, the waiver may be void

4. Request rebooking, change, or refund (depending on preference / scenario)

• Under the waiver, change fees or cancellation penalties may be waived

• You may rebook / reroute travel (within the waiver constraints)

• If no acceptable rebooking is found, request refund (or cancellation and refund) for unused portions

• If your ticket is partially used, some waivers allow refunds for the unused portion

• Ensure any new ticket is reissued within the time window allowed by the waiver

5. Meet deadlines & reissue / rebook promptly

• Waivers usually specify a reissue deadline (e.g. by March 1 for Popocatépetl) Delta Professional

• New travel must often begin by a certain date

• If you delay beyond the waiver’s validity, it may be void or subject to regular fare rules

6. Follow up and escalate if needed

• If the agent refuses to apply the waiver, ask to speak with a supervisor

• Request the agent to document that you attempted waiver, quote the bulletin

• If still denied, escalate to Delta Customer Relations with references to the waiver

• Use the phone number [☎‪‪‪‪+1 (888) 263-37-15‬‬] when calling to reference your case and the waiver

Common Provisions & Limitations

Volcanic waivers tend to have specific constraints. Here are typical provisions and limitations:

• Only one waiver per ticket (i.e. one rebooking or change permitted)

• Rebooking must remain in original cabin (unless otherwise allowed)

• Fare difference may still apply if new route is more expensive

• Unused value may be honored (refund or credit) if no acceptable rebooking

• Ticket must be reissued / rebooked within the waiver window

• Travel must begin by a specified date

• The waiver often does not apply to tickets issued after a cutoff date

• If your flight has already commenced or ticket reissued before waiver, it may not apply

• Waiver codes and OSI PNR entries are essential — if not applied correctly, waiver may not be honored

• If your airline partner has different policies or local constraints, the waiver may vary

Always read the waiver bulletin for details and restrictions.

Case Study: Delta Waiver for Kīlauea / Hawaiian Volcano Eruption (2018 Example)

In coverage of the Kīlauea volcano eruption in Hawaii, many airlines (including Delta) extended waivers. According to The Points Guy:

• Delta’s waiver covered travel dates May 7–31

• Passengers affected could rebook (change) by June 7 without change fees; however fare differences might still apply

• If travel could not be rebooked within that window, unused portions could be canceled and applied as credit toward a new ticket (valid within one year) The Points Guy

This example mirrors the structure of Delta’s volcanic waivers: specific travel period, deadlines, waived fees, and fallback refund / credit for unused value.

Tips to Maximize Success with Volcanic Waivers

1. Monitor current waiver bulletins — check Delta’s “Travel Exception / Policy Library” or Delta Professional if you have access

2. Act quickly — waivers have tight deadlines for reissue / rebooking

3. Call early — don’t wait until departure; mention the waiver bulletin by name and ask agent to apply

4. Get waiver code and OSI in your PNR — these are your evidence

5. Keep documentation — screenshots, bulletin, emails

6. Be persistent — supervisors may know more about waiver handling

7. If ticket was via travel agency, work through agent — they may have access to waiver processing tools

8. Use the phone number [☎‪‪‪‪+1 (888) 263-37-15‬‬] when calling Delta to reference a waiver and escalate

FAQs

Q: Does Delta always issue a waiver for volcanic eruptions?
A: Not always. A waiver is issued only when an eruption significantly disrupts operations. Delta evaluates region, safety, airspace issues, and issues a specific waiver bulletin when deemed necessary.

Q: What does a volcanic waiver typically waive?
A: It often waives change fees / cancellation penalties, allows rebooking or rerouting, permits refunds on unused portions, and extends validity windows. But it depends on the specific waiver bulletin.

Q: Will I get a full refund if a volcano forces cancelation?
A: If the waiver (or Delta’s cancellation) deems your ticket unaffected by a valid rebooking, and no acceptable alternate exists, you may receive refund for unused portion per waiver terms.

Q: What if the agent refuses to apply the waiver?
A: Politely escalate. Ask for supervisor, cite the waiver bulletin, insist that the OSI and waiver code be added to your PNR. Persist or contact Delta Customer Relations.

Q: Can I rebook on another airline under the waiver?
A: Rarely. The waiver normally allows rebooking within Delta’s network (same cabin, partner flights). Some waivers may reimburse alternate airline fares only under exceptional allowances, but that is not common.

Q: How long does waiver protection last?
A: Waiver bulletins specify effective travel dates, ticket issuance cutoff, and reissue deadlines. Once those windows expire, the waiver no longer applies.