AC

Airlines say they're preparing for the return of swine flu this fall but stop short of declaring they'll bar passengers with symptoms from planes or give refunds for trips canceled because of the illness. Rather than impose special measures to deal with the H1N1 virus, several U.S. carriers emphasize they'll follow long-standing policies that permit them to keep an ill person from flying, whatever the sickness. "We do definitely reserve that right to take a look at someone, and if they exhibit signs of having a communicable disease and flying is not in their best interest, we can definitely take them off and get them the medical care that they need," says Paul Flaningan, a Southwest spokesman. Some airlines say they're waiting to see whether to offer refunds or waive rebooking fees for passengers who cannot fly because they are sick. "We're going to proceed with our normal policies, and if the situation were to change drastically then we'd have to examine that," says Christopher...