Alaska Hurricane Simon waiver: change Mexico flights by October 14

Alaska Airlines has issued a flexible travel policy for Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo flights scheduled from October 8 through October 11, 2026. A qualifying traveler can move the trip to a flight completed by Wednesday, October 14 without a fare difference when the replacement stays in the same cabin and meets Alaska's other conditions.

The airline's page still labels the event "Tropical Storm Simon," although Mexican and US weather authorities now refer to Hurricane Simon. That naming difference does not change the published ticket terms. It also does not mean that every MZT, PVR or ZLO flight is cancelled. Check the individual flight before going to the airport.

*Original AI-generated OpenSim editorial image. It illustrates a rainy airport and does not show Alaska Airlines, a covered airport, Hurricane Simon or a real passenger.*

The practical answer: open the reservation now if it touches MZT, PVR or ZLO by October 11 and the ticket was bought by October 8. Compare a same-cabin Alaska option completed by October 14. Change or cancel before the original flight departs, and contact the seller if a third party issued the ticket.

This page was checked at 6:55 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on October 10, 2026. Alaska's policy and local conditions can change quickly.

Alaska's Simon waiver at a glance

Read the live Alaska travel advisory before confirming a change. The airline can extend, narrow or remove the policy as operations develop.

What the waiver lets you change

Alaska says eligible nonrefundable First Class, Main, Saver and award tickets can be changed without a fee. No fare difference applies when new travel is completed by October 14 in the same cabin. Additional taxes can still apply.

The replacement must be on Alaska, Hawaiian, Horizon or a SkyWest flight marketed as Alaska. The waiver is also limited to Alaska ticket stock: look for a 13-digit ticket number beginning with 027. A confirmation code alone does not establish who issued the ticket.

If an online travel agency, another airline or a travel adviser sold the booking, contact that seller. Ask them to confirm the ticket number, every segment and the total amount before they exchange the ticket. Do not assume that a partner flight or separate reservation moves with it.

Choose between keeping, moving and cancelling

Keep the original flight only if its timing still works and you can handle a late operational change. Turn on Alaska's flight notifications, check flight status and review the reservation again before leaving.

Move the flight if a qualifying same-cabin option through October 14 protects an important arrival, connection or nonrefundable booking. Review the complete itinerary rather than the first segment. A new flight after October 14, a different cabin or an ineligible carrier can be repriced.

Cancel under the customer-facing waiver only after checking what Alaska offers on screen. The published options are wallet funds or a credit certificate for a voluntary cancellation. Those are different from a cash refund owed after an airline cancellation or qualifying significant change.

Why the storm still matters to the decision

The National Hurricane Center archive is the authority for Simon's forecast and advisory history. Mexico's civil-protection agency has urged people in Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and other exposed communities to follow official instructions and use temporary shelters when directed. The US Embassy weather alert also directs travelers to local authorities and airline updates.

A forecast does not establish the status of one flight. Check Alaska first, then the airport operator. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico provides official information for Puerto Vallarta airport and Manzanillo airport. An open terminal does not guarantee that a particular departure will operate.

Safety instructions take priority over preserving an itinerary. Do not travel toward an airport through closed roads, floodwater or an evacuation area simply because the flight still appears scheduled.

If the website still quotes a fare difference

Public Alaska discussions repeatedly ask why a waiver appears to apply while the booking flow still quotes a higher fare. The live Alaska terms, not an online anecdote, decide eligibility.

Work through these checks:

1. Confirm that MZT, PVR or ZLO is on the itinerary and the original flight is dated October 8 through 11.
2. Find the purchase date and the 13-digit ticket number beginning with 027.
3. Choose travel completed by October 14 in the same cabin.
4. Confirm that every replacement segment uses one of the carriers allowed by the waiver.
5. Save the advisory, original itinerary, proposed flights and unexpected price.
6. Contact Alaska or the issuing seller before accepting the charge.

The waiver does not apply to same-day confirmed changes. If the original departure is close, keep a record of when you tried to change or cancel it.

Credits and cash refunds solve different problems

Alaska's customer policy offers wallet funds or a credit certificate when an eligible passenger voluntarily cancels under the waiver. The agency instructions on the same page also describe ticket handling by travel professionals. Do not treat an agency instruction as a promise that every customer-facing self-service cancellation will return cash.

The US Department of Transportation refund guide applies when an airline cancels a flight or makes a qualifying significant delay or change and the traveler declines the changed trip, alternative transportation, credit or other compensation. For an international itinerary, DOT lists a departure or arrival shift of six hours or more among the qualifying changes, along with changes such as a different airport or extra connection.

If Alaska changes the flight, inspect any automatic rebooking before accepting it. Decide whether the replacement still serves the trip. Keep the notice and your response, especially when a travel agent is the merchant of record.

Weather-related hotel and meal costs are separate from the unused-ticket refund. Ask Alaska what it will provide, review travel-insurance terms and retain itemized receipts, but do not assume that every storm expense must be reimbursed.

Protect connections and the rest of the trip

Before confirming a replacement, check the return flight, every connection, seat assignments, checked-bag route, airport transfer and hotel cancellation deadline. An Alaska waiver cannot alter a separately ticketed flight, tour or accommodation.

For a partner segment on the same ticket, ask the issuer to confirm that the whole reservation has been reissued. For a separate ticket, contact the other carrier before its no-show cutoff. Leave enough time for a connection that may now use a different terminal or date.

Keep medication, documents, chargers and one night's essentials in hand luggage. Save the itinerary, ticket number, waiver, airport links, accommodation address and insurance details offline.

Stay connected while the Pacific coast itinerary changes

A Mexico OpenSim eSIM can provide ground-based mobile data on a compatible, unlocked phone for airline alerts, maps and accommodation messages. A North America plan may suit a journey that also includes the United States or Canada. Use the live package details to choose coverage for the complete trip.

An eSIM cannot make a flight operate, bypass an outage or guarantee service during a hurricane. Install it while dependable Wi-Fi is available, save the setup details offline and keep the usual SIM available if Alaska or a bank sends verification texts to that number.

Choose data coverage after the route is settled

Settle the revised journey first, then choose the smallest coverage area that fits it. Check each package's current allowance, validity, network, hotspot support and top-up eligibility on its product page. Not every plan is reloadable.

Ten questions about Alaska's Simon waiver

Does the waiver mean my Alaska flight is cancelled?

No. It gives eligible travelers flexibility while flights may be disrupted. Check the exact flight in Alaska's status tool and in the reservation before going to MZT, PVR or ZLO.

Which airports and dates are covered?

The current policy covers Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo itineraries originally scheduled from October 8 through October 11, 2026.

Which Alaska tickets qualify?

The ticket must have been bought on or before October 8 and issued on Alaska's 027 ticket stock. Nonrefundable First Class, Main, Saver and award tickets are included when the other conditions are met.

Can I change a Saver fare under this waiver?

Yes. Alaska explicitly includes Saver fares in the exception. The replacement still has to meet the date, cabin, carrier and ticket-stock rules.

Will Alaska waive the fare difference?

Yes, for an eligible replacement completed by October 14 in the same cabin. Additional taxes can apply, and later or otherwise ineligible travel can be repriced.

What if I booked through a travel agency or another airline?

Contact the seller that issued the ticket. Ask it to confirm the 027 ticket number, waiver eligibility and every reissued segment before you approve the exchange.

Can I rebook onto any airline?

No. Alaska limits waiver rebooking to Alaska, Hawaiian, Horizon or SkyWest as Alaska flights. A convenient partner itinerary is not automatically eligible.

Can I receive cash instead of a wallet credit?

Not automatically for a voluntary waiver cancellation. The customer policy offers wallet funds or a credit certificate. A refund to the original payment method is a separate right when Alaska cancels or significantly changes the flight and you decline the alternative.

Can I use the waiver for a same-day confirmed change?

No. Alaska's published terms say the waiver does not apply to same-day confirmed changes. Use the event-waiver path before the original flight departs.

What should I save offline before travelling?

Save the itinerary, 027 ticket number, advisory, flight-status links, accommodation details, insurance policy and emergency contacts. Keep screenshots of any change quote or cancellation notice.

Final Alaska checks before the Mexico flight

Check the live waiver and the exact flight again. If you want to move, compare one same-cabin option completed by October 14 and inspect every segment before confirming. If the website prices an apparently eligible change, pause and contact the ticket issuer with screenshots.

If Alaska cancels or significantly changes the flight, decide whether the replacement still makes the trip worthwhile before accepting it. Follow local safety instructions first and keep proof of every change, offer and expense.

When we will update this Simon guide

The airports, dates, purchase cutoff, 027 ticket rule, eligible fares, carrier restrictions, rebooking window and credit choices come from Alaska's current advisory. DOT supports the refund distinction. The NHC, Mexican civil-protection authority, US Embassy and airport operator support the safety and operating-status checks.

We will update this page if Alaska changes the covered airports, dates, purchase cutoff, permitted carriers or replacement-travel deadline, or publishes a material cancellation update. We will also update it if the official airport operator changes the operating status of MZT, PVR or ZLO, or if the NHC ends or materially changes the relevant advisories.