IROP/weather event policy

Notice

If you make an involuntary or voluntary itinerary change then all associated EMDs and AE must be refunded, as EMDs are not exchangeable. If the customer still wishes to purchase the ancillary on the new itinerary then a new EMD should be issued. If the itinerary does not change then all paid EMDs are non-refundable and the travel agent will be issued a debit memo for improperly refunded EMDs.

What is an IROP?

Notice: Please check the waiver codes page for up to date information on special waivers. If you are looking for information on how to process a schedule change for flights on or before May 31, visit the schedule change policy page.


An irregular operation (IROP) exists anytime a flight fails for any reason to operate on schedule, is cancelled, or has a change of equipment which cannot accommodate all confirmed customers who present themselves for check-in. To compensate for customer inconvenience as a result of the irregular operations JetBlue will attempt to reroute the customer on the next available flight(s) and revalidate the ticket.

JetBlue uses waiver codes to allow travel agents to self-serve during irregular operations. If JetBlue cancels a flight (non-operational) that is not part of a large event, follow IROP guidelines for cancellation options and use waiver code ‘OPCANX’. In either case, you do not need to call Reservations. View weather related events, up to date and past dated waiver code information, and affected flights/market information View weather related events, up to date and past dated waiver code information, and affected flights/market information here.

Ticket changes during an IROP

In the event of a severe irregular operation (IROP), a waiver code may be provided in the Travel Alert notices on jetblue.com.

Customers who meet the specified travel criteria may rebook without a change fee or difference in fare for travel between same city pairs and “rebook travel through date” given in the Travel Alert section.

If a customer’s JetBlue flight is cancelled (non-operational) by JetBlue due to a system disruption, such as weather, and no other alternate flights are acceptable, customers can opt for a full refund without penalty. Travel agencies are responsible for confirming flight status prior to processing a refund back to the customer. Refunds to the customer’s original form of payment that do not meet the IROP refund guidelines will result in a debit memo.

Rebooking Options

  • Rebook the customer’s flights (same city pairs) through the “rebook travel through date” in either the same or lowest available booking class and then process an even exchange on the ticket.
  • Rebook the customer’s flights beyond the “rebook travel through date” in either the same or lowest available booking class and process a regular exchange on the ticket charging any increase in fare; however, you may waive the change fee at the time of the exchange.
  • Rebook the customer’s flights between different city pairs in either the same or lowest available booking class and process a regular exchange on the ticket charging any increase in fare; however, you may waive the change fee at the time of the exchange.
  • Cancel the flights and leave the ticket in “Open Status” waving all cancelation fees. The residual will be available one year from the original ticket issue date.

Important: Required Documentation for Processing an Exchange:

  • Travel agent must document the PNR with an OSI message that reads: OSI B6 EXCH PER WXB6ABCD20
  • Travel agent must document the new ticket with the applicable waiver code in the Tour Code box
    • Note: In the event a corporate discount has been added in the Tour Code box, waiver code information can be added in the Endorsement box after the required annotated text.

*WXB6ABCD20 is an example waiver code and you should replace this with the actual waiver code provided by JetBlue for the specific IROP event. Note: Customers must be re-accommodated into the same (or lower) cabin as originally ticketed. Changes into a higher cabin will result in a debit memo.

Rebooking / Refund Options for Cancelled (non-operational) JetBlue Flights

  • Refund the full value of the ticket back to original form of payment through normal ARC/BSP processing waiving all cancellation fees.
    • Agents should verify flight status before processing refund to original form of payment, as this option is only permitted if customer’s JetBlue flight is nonoperational/ cancelled by JetBlue and there are no acceptable alternatives.
  • Cancel the flights and leave the ticket in “Open Status” waving all cancellation fees. The residual will be available one year from the original ticket issue date.

Required Documentation:

  • Document the PNR with the following OSI message entry: OSI B6 RFND PER *WXB6ABCD20*

Failure to apply the proper documentation may result in a debit memo *WXB6ABCD20 is an example waiver code and you should replace this with the actual waiver code provided by JetBlue for the specific IROP.

Note: As long as travel meets the Exception Policy Guidelines posted on jetblue.com for the event, and the PNR is properly documented, you do not need to call JetBlue Customer Support for permission or authorization.

Co-Located Airports (Sister Cities)

Due to high load factors on some of JetBlue’s flights, it may be difficult to re-accommodate customers using their same city pairs. If needed, customers traveling in or out of the areas listed below may make changes to a co-located airport (i.e.: JFK may be changed to EWR, FLL may be changed to PBI, POP may be changed to STI, etc.) due to IROP/ weather event. JetBlue has authorized re-accommodation to/from these co-located airports (sister cities):

  • Boston: BOS, PVD, ORH
  • Buffalo: BUF, ROC
  • Chicago: ORD, MKE
  • Dominican Republic: POP, STI
  • Los Angeles: BUR, LAX, ONT
  • New York: JFK, LGA, EWR, HPN, SWF
  • Philadelphia: BWI, EWR, PHL
  • San Francisco: SFO, SJC
  • South Florida: PBI, FLL, MIA
  • Tampa Bay: SRQ, TPA
  • Washington D.C.: DCA, BWI

Interline customers

Re-accommodation for customers traveling on a single Interline ticket missing connections to JetBlue as a result of an IROP are to be processed by the disrupting interline carrier, regardless of ticket stock.

Other Airline (OAL) customers

Re-accommodation of customers affected by an IROP that result in a misconnection to and/or from another airline that is not a JetBlue Interline Partner will not be provided by JetBlue.