SMALL details can sometimes lead to the biggest headaches when it comes to air travel.
And when it comes to passenger names on a booking, getting these right is key if you want everything to go smoothly at the airport.
Airlines have a right to deny boarding to anyone who’s ticket doesn’t match their ID, and some travellers have been denied boarding for failing to correct this ahead of their flight.
So whether you need to correct a typo or transfer a ticket to a different person entirely – here are the name change rules for different airlines, made simple.
Ryanair
Low-cost airline Ryanair allows changes to names up to 24 hours before a flight’s departure time if processed online, and two hours before if done at the airport desk.
Both of these options will incur a name change fee: £115 on the website and £160 through an agent.
If you notice a minor mistake within 48 hours booking you can correct up to three characters in a name free of charge – but more substantial or later changes will carry a price tag.
Maiden and married names are the exception here.
Ryanair will amend a name at no extra cost if your surname has changed on the document you are using for travel.
Editing a booking to be in someone else’s name is also possible, but not if one of the flights on the booking has already departed (for example, if you are already abroad and trying to make changes for your return flight).
Those name changes that fall within 48 hours of booking and over 24 hours before flying can be made on the Ryanair website or app by clicking ‘Manage this booking’ and selecting ‘Change a name’.
But if you’re already checked in, you’ll need to contact the airline and pay the slightly higher price.
easyJet
easyJet also allows name tweaks, letting passengers correct titles and spelling mistakes of up to three letters without any fee.
The airline is slightly more lenient than Ryanair with this, as it does not have a time limit of 48 hours after booking.
You can do this on either its website or app under ‘View Bookings’.
Changes of more than three characters or a whole name can also be made, but a fee will be applied per passenger, per flight.
The cost is £60 for online amendments and £65 for going through the customer service team.
And in the event of needing a very last-minute change, easyJet gives you a little more time than Ryanair by allowing requests at the airport desk up to 90 minutes before departure.
Jet2
British airline Jet2 has a more restrictive policy when it comes to name changes.
Only the lead passenger can make edits and absolutely no changes are allowed after check-in.
It does have the same three letter rule as easyJet and Ryanair – allowing minor tweaks for free – but the fee that applies for more major changes can end up being higher.
While amendments made 14 days or more ahead of the flight time only cost £50, changes made after that will cost £150 plus any fare difference since the booking was made.
This means that if the price of your flight has gone up and you request changes just days before your trip, it could be significantly more costly than £150.
Jet2 also does not allow for any name changes within 48 hours of flying, so you have less flexibility.
If you are within the permitted window and wish to go ahead with a change it’s easy to do this through the ‘Manage My Booking’ function on its app or website.
Vueling
Vueling is fast becoming a popular choice for budget-friendly flights, with many European destinations on its roster.
It also offers different fare options from Basic to Flex.
Name change fees for Vueling are dependent on which you have purchased – if you have a Basic plane ticket, a full name swap will cost you €50 (roughly £43).
And similar to Jet2, you may also be charged the difference if the price of your flight has increased.
However, if you paid for a Flex ticket the total price might be lower as you will only be asked to pay the set change fee, not the fare difference.
Small spelling errors can be corrected at no extra cost up to two hours before flying providing none of the flights in the booking have already been taken.
Adding middle names or second surnames is also free of charge.
This is very important to check as some airlines don’t require middle names for a booking, but Vueling’s policy is that passenger tickets must match their identity documents exactly.
Wizz Air
Passengers can access their Wizz Account and go to ‘Make changes’ if they wish to change a name for their upcoming flight.
Typos of up to three letters are free, while ticket transfers to a new completely name cost €70 (around £61).
This is allowed up to three hours before departure.
Wizz Air ‘s call centre is also on hand for anyone who would prefer to make these changes by phone.
The airline is accommodating when it comes to changing surnames after marriage or divorce and will amend these for free for any passenger that provides the required documentation.
However, its website states that responses to such emails can take up to 30 days, so get in contact as soon as you can if you wish to request this.
British Airways
British Airways differs slightly compared to more budget airlines.
Its tickets are non-transferable, meaning passengers are not able to change an entire name on a booking and will instead need to cancel and re-book the ticket.
This will likely cost significantly more than any flat fee.
However, unlike other carriers, BA has a 24-hour grace period.
Customers have one day to completely cancel their flight free of charge, giving them the option to get a full refund and make a new booking in this time frame.
Free spelling corrections of up to three characters can be made by contacting the BA customer services team.
