Summary
- Three South American airlines are allowing fans to change their flights without additional fees after Taylor Swift’s concert was postponed.
- The carriers are offering flexibility to by allowing them to change their flights until the end of this week.
- The decision to waive change fees highlights the influence Taylor Swift’s tour has on flight bookings.
Two weeks after releasing the highly anticipated 1989 (Taylor’s Version) album, international pop star Taylor Swift is making headlines in the airline industry. Taking the Eras Tour on the road to Argentina last week, Friday’s show in Buenos Aires had to be postponed due to inclement weather.
While the show was only moved two days later to Sunday, airlines jumped in to assist with itinerary changes, allowing those who traveled to Argentina’s capital to stay longer to see Swift. Since change fee waivers surrounding a concert are rather unusual, the move highlights how much the pop star’s tour influences flight bookings.
Rescheduling for safety
According to USA TODAY’s devoted Taylor Swift reporter, Bryan West, three South American airlines are allowing fans, affectionately referred to as “Swifties,” to change their flights if they had tickets to attend Friday night’s show. On Friday, Swift expressed on social media that the concert was canceled due to unsafe conditions from unrelenting rain in the region.
“I love a rain show but I’m never going to endanger my fans or my fellow performers and crew. We’ve rescheduled tonight’s Buenos Aires show for Sunday due to the weather being so truly chaotic it would be unsafe to try and put on this concert.”
“#AtenciónSwifties”
As a result, Sky Airline, JetSMART Airlines, and LATAM Airlines announced that Swifties could change their flights throughout the week without additional fees.
“If you had tickets for the Taylor Swift concert that was postponed, this November 10 in Buenos Aires, we tell you that we have activated our protection and support plan for passengers,” Sky Airline posted on Instagram.
Photo: oscargutzo | Shutterstock
The Santiago, Chile-based airline outlined that passengers with a scheduled flight this weekend can change the date of their flight originating at Ezeiza International Airport or Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery at no cost, including fare difference, until Friday, November 17. The offering is only available to fans affected by the postponement, as the airline will ask passengers for a photo of their concert ticket when they opt to change their flight.
JetSMART has a similar policy, offering Swifties flexibility for changed itineraries.
“If you had tickets for the Taylor concert this November 10 in Buenos Aires and your return flight was on November 11 or 12, we offer you: Change the date of your flight from Buenos Aires free of charge until November 17,” the carrier wrote on X.
Photo: Gustavo Estacio Henao | Shutterstock
LATAM Airlines, the largest airline in Latin America, said its flexibility policy was updated for those with flights scheduled from Buenos Aires on November 11 and 10. “Depending on seat availability,” the carrier will allow Swifties “to make changes without fines or fare difference” until next Friday.
After reportedly encountering challenges with finding seats, some travelers complained to LATAM on social media and blamed the airline for announcing the changes too late. The carrier did not comment on whether it would add additional flights to accommodate the fans, but the move would be typical, as CNBC reported that airlines routinely add flights for high-profile events.
Influencing bookings
Contrarily, waiving change fees due to a canceled concert is more unlikely, according to industry experts, and the fact that airlines would offer additional flexibility underscores how important Swift’s tour is to flight bookings.
As for the pop star, however, it appears that she is pleased to stay a bit longer in South America.
“Good news is I get to stay in Argentina longer!!” Swift wrote on X.
The Eras Tour is nearing its end after beginning in March of this year. This week, the popstar will travel to Canada, where she will make a pitstop in Toronto before closing the tour in Vancouver on December 8.