New Orleans Attack: Airline Waivers and Travel Updates

New Orleans is mourning after a terrorist attack in the city’s famed French Quarter left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured early Wednesday.

The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. According to authorities, a driver maneuvered a pickup truck around a police blockade and plowed into pedestrians on Bourbon Street at around 3 a.m. local time. The suspect was shot and killed by police, who later found guns and explosive devices in the truck.

According to FBI statements, the suspect is Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas. The FBI said on Wednesday that it does not believe that he acted alone, and a full investigation was ongoing.

Both the vehicle used in the New Orleans attack and the vehicle that exploded in Las Vegas outside of the Trump International on Wednesday were rented on Turo, the car rental company that allows users to rent other users’ cars. Officials said that they were also investigating the car explosion in Las Vegas, which claimed the life of the driver, as an act of terrorism.

Travel Impact and Bourbon Street Closures

The vehicle came to a stop near the Royal Sonesta New Orleans on Bourbon Street. While the hotel closed some of its facilities on Wednesday, it remained open for guests. Much of the surrounding area was cordoned off to pedestrians.

As of Thursday morning, police are asking tourists and locals to avoid the section of Bourbon Street between Canal and Dumaine streets and from Royal to Dauphine streets.

The affected area of Bourbon Street remains closed, along with many bars and restaurants.

The Royal Sonesta Hotel’s Jazz Playhouse reopened at 5 p.m. Wednesday with food and beverage service, but its Restaurant R’evolution, Le Booze, and Desire Oyster Bar remained closed through the day. Travel Market Report has reached out to the hotel for further updates.

Other iconic Bourbon Street establishments also closed temporarily, including Galatoire’s, which announced it would be “closed for the time being,” and Antoine’s, which plans to reopen Thursday. Tujague’s, another restaurant in the area, expressed hopes to reopen Thursday evening.

Airline Waivers

Several airlines issued waivers shortly after the attack, allowing travelers to change their plans free of charge.

American Airlines issued a waiver for travel through Jan. 3 through New Orleans (MSY), allowing for changes to new flights through Jan. 6.

Delta Air Lines issued a waiver for travel through New Orleans (MSY) through Jan. 3, giving travelers the ability to change their plans for new flights through Jan. 6 without penalty or fare differences.

JetBlue has a waiver for travel through New Orleans (MSY) through Jan. 3, allowing customers to rebook their flights for travel through Jan. 8 without penalty.

United Airlines issued its own waiver for travel through New Orleans through Jan. 3, also allowing travelers to opt for new flights through Jan. 6 without penalties or fare differences.

New Orleans Tourism Responds

Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the city’s tourism agency, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and praised law enforcement for their swift response.

The organization confirmed that the Sugar Bowl, one of college football’s premier bowl games, has been postponed until Thursday “out of an abundance of caution.”

Despite the tragedy, New Orleans & Company emphasized that the city remains committed to welcoming visitors.

“Let us be clear: Millions of visitors are drawn to New Orleans—and hundreds of thousands of us choose to live and work here—because of our welcoming people and our beautiful, inclusive culture. New Orleans is built to host major events, meetings, and conventions. Our preparation for upcoming events, and our community’s spirit and resilience, will not be deterred by this horrific act,” the organization said in a statement.

Outside of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans is also the host of the Super Bowl on February 9.