How to change or correct the name on your flight ticket – and what it will cost you

Have a misspelt name on your plane ticket or need to transfer a ticket to someone else? You’re not alone. In 2025, airlines have specific rules (and often hefty fees) for name changes. Making sure the name on your ticket matches your passport is crucial; otherwise, you risk being denied boarding. This updated guide explains if and how you can change the name on a plane ticket, what it will cost (e.g. the Ryanair name change fee 2025 is now well into three digits!), and each airline’s latest policy. We’ll also cover common questions like minor typos, swapping passengers, legal name changes after marriage, doing changes online vs. by phone, and whether fees apply per leg or per booking.

Aer Lingus

• Are name changes allowed? Yes, Aer Lingus allows you to change the name on a booking. Small spelling mistakes can often be corrected for free by contacting their support, but changing the passenger entirely will incur a fee.
• Fee: £80 per person, per flight (that’s €100 in the Aer Lingus fee schedule). This fee applies per leg, so a round-trip would be £160 total.
• How to change: Aer Lingus directs you to call their reservations centre to process a name change. They do not currently offer an online self-service name correction for full changes, so you’ll need to speak with an agent. (Note: If it’s a minor typo on a recently booked ticket, try calling. Customers report Aer Lingus may fix small errors without charge in some cases.) Aer Lingus allows name changes up to 2 hours before the departure of the flight.
• Official link: See Aer Lingus’s “Booking Service Fees” page for the name change fee listed in EUR/GBP. More info can be found by contacting Aer Lingus directly or via their Manage Trip portal.

Air Canada

• Are name changes allowed? Partial, Air Canada does not allow the outright transfer of a ticket to a different person. However, they do accommodate minor corrections, and certain fare classes allow a formal name change with a fee. Within 24 hours of booking, you can rebook/cancel for free (per standard 24-hour rule). After that, if you have a refundable or flexible ticket (e.g. certain domestic fares or corporate bookings), a name change might be processed with a fee. Basic economy tickets generally cannot be name-changed at all.
• Fee: $0 within 24 hours, otherwise typically $60 CAD ($60 USD) for eligible tickets/fare types. Air Canada’s policy for tickets within Canada: Flex, Comfort, some Premium fares, etc., have a $60 name change fee, while fully flexible (Latitude, Business Flex) fares are free, and the cheapest “Standard” fare was $125. For international flights or non-eligible fares, they effectively treat it as a new booking, meaning you might pay the fare difference or a change penalty of up to $200 in some cases. Minor spelling mistakes (up to 3–4 letters) can be corrected without charge by contacting Air Canada support.
• How to change: You must contact Air Canada to request a name correction or change. If your fare type permits it, they will reissue the ticket in the new name after you pay the fee and any fare difference. This usually cannot be done directly online (the online system is mostly for date/route changes). Prepare documentation if it’s a legal name change. Travel agents or corporate travel desks can also handle it if that’s how you booked.
• Official link: Air Canada’s policy for travel agents details the name change fees by fare class. The Air Canada “Name Change Policy” (revised Oct 2023) confirms the $60 CAD fee for many tickets and free changes for Latitude and Business Flex. Always double-check with Air Canada directly, as international itineraries may have different rules.

Air France

• Are name changes allowed? Not for changing the passenger, tickets are generally non-transferable. However, Air France will correct minor spelling errors for free and will assist with adding missing parts of a name or adjusting the title/order of names. They have a generous policy for typos: if you request a correction at least 30 hours before departure, they’ll do it without charge. Full name changes (a different person travelling) are not allowed; you’d need to cancel/refund (if possible) or forfeit the ticket and buy a new one.
• Fee: Free for minor corrections (if done >30 hours before the flight). If you wait until the last day or at the airport, Air France may charge a fee or decline the change. For major name corrections (more than 3 letters, or completely changing the name due to legal reasons), you must go through Air France customer service, they might charge a change fee up to €50–€200 depending on your fare type. For example, third-party sources note Air France’s Economy Flex tickets might incur $100-$150 for a big name change, whereas Business class tickets could be $0-$60, but these are case-by-case.
• How to change: Use Air France’s “My Booking” (Manage Reservation) section online to correct up to 3 characters in your name or to fix title issues. If the system doesn’t allow the change, call Air France’s customer support. They may ask for proof if it’s a legal name change (marriage certificate, etc.). It’s recommended to do this well before check-in (again, 30+ hours before departure is ideal). Air France also mentions you can reach out via their social media or WhatsApp for assistance with name corrections.
• Official link: Air France doesn’t publish a clear “fee” on their consumer site since they treat each case individually. However, their help articles (and Flying Blue customer commitment) indicate that small typos are fixed free and tickets are non-transferable. When in doubt, contact Air France directly.

American Airlines

• Are name changes allowed? Not for switching passengers, American Airlines tickets are non-transferable (like most major carriers). AA will assist with corrections if, for example, your name was misspelt or you need to add a missing middle name, etc., but you cannot give your ticket to someone else. In practice, AA has an internal policy allowing travel agents to correct up to 3 letters in a name or fix inverted names, etc., without fee. Bigger changes or completely changing the name requires a new ticket.
• Fee: No set fee for minor corrections; they are usually done as a courtesy if it’s truly a spelling fix. For major changes, effectively, you pay the fare difference or change penalty as if rebooking. American no longer charges standard change fees on most fares for date changes, but a “name change” is not a typical allowed change. If you insist on changing a traveller, AA would have you cancel (possibly paying a $200 cancellation fee on old non-refundable tickets, though many tickets are now changeable for free except Basic Economy) and rebook in the new name. Some third-party sources mention a $120 “name correction fee” in certain cases; this likely applies if a travel agent has to reissue a ticket with a corrected name after the 24-hour window. But if you booked directly, AA usually handles typos without charge.
• How to change: Call American Airlines (or your travel agent) as soon as you notice the name issue. AA’s phone agents can correct minor mistakes (passport name mismatches, etc.). They may ask for fax/email of documentation for a significant name change (like legal name change). If it’s just a one-letter typo, they often just fix it in the reservation notes. Do not wait until the day of travel, resolve it in advance. If you booked through a third-party site, you might have to work through that agent to process any correction.
• Official link: American’s Conditions of Carriage emphasise that tickets are personal and names can’t be changed to someone else. Their customer support FAQ notes that tickets are non-transferable and you must cancel/rebook for a new passenger. In summary: AA will help with corrections (call them), but you can’t do a full name swap.

British Airways

• Are name changes allowed? No, not to transfer to a different person. BA does not permit changing the passenger on a ticket. Once booked, the name is essentially fixed to that traveller. The only exceptions are for minor corrections and for the 24-hour grace period after booking. BA provides a 24-hour cooling-off period: if you made a mistake, you can cancel the ticket within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, then rebook correctly. After 24 hours, the reservation is locked in that name. Minor spelling errors or additions (like adding a middle name or correcting a title) can be corrected by calling BA support, usually without a fee, as long as it’s clearly the same person travelling. But changing “John Doe” to an entirely different person is not allowed; you’d have to buy a new ticket for the new person and possibly cancel the original (subject to fare rules).
• Fee: Free within 24 hours of booking (via cancellation and rebooking). After that, minor spelling corrections are free in most cases; BA doesn’t charge for small fixes like transposed letters, adding a missing part of a double-barrelled surname, etc. However, if you need to change the name completely, BA’s policy is to cancel and rebook, which may incur cancellation fees or loss of fare value if the ticket isn’t flexible. (BA’s 24-hour refund policy helps avoid fees if you catch mistakes immediately.)
• How to change: You must call British Airways (or contact via Twitter DM or WhatsApp, BA is active on social media for support). Provide the correct name spelling and explain the error. If it’s truly minor and the tickets are unused, BA will update the name in the booking. Note: Simply updating the name in your BA Executive Club profile does not change the ticket name; an agent has to adjust the actual booking. For significant issues (like an entire first/last name swap), BA might advise cancelling. If you legally changed your name (marriage/divorce) and need the ticket updated, BA will usually accommodate that if you show proof, as long as the person travelling is the same (they may reissue the ticket in the new name). Always have your passport and any documents handy when contacting BA.
• Official link: BA’s help centre states it’s not possible to simply edit a name on a ticket via Manage My Booking. Their terms say tickets are non-transferable. BA’s 24-hour cooling-off policy is detailed on their site (free cancellation within 24 hours). In practice, customer reports confirm BA will fix minor typos for free as a courtesy.

easyJet

• Are name changes allowed? Yes, easyJet allows full name changes (you can change the passenger travelling) for a fee. They also allow unlimited minor corrections for free: you can fix up to 3 characters of a name online at no charge, as well as title or gender changes. If you need to change more than 3 letters, or swap the name to a different person, a fee will apply. easyJet is quite flexible in that sense, designed for self-service.
• Fee: Variable by timing: easyJet’s name change fee increases closer to departure. As of 2025, the fee is £25 per person, per flight if done more than 60 days before travel, and £50 per person, per flight if done within 60 days of departure. Additionally, if you call customer service to do it, there’s an extra £5 admin fee (so £30 / £55 respectively by phone). In plain terms, a last-minute name change for a round-trip could cost about £100+ in total fees. On the other hand, a name change far in advance for a return ticket might be around £50 total (online). Minor spelling fixes up to 3 characters are free and don’t incur any fee at all. (Also, note that if flight prices have increased a lot since you booked, easyJet does not charge a fare difference for a name change; it’s just the flat fee, unlike date changes, which do have fare differences.)
• How to change: Do it online via the Manage Bookings section on easyJet’s website or app. This is the cheapest and easiest method. You log in, select your booking, choose “Change Name,” and enter the correct name. The system will show you the fee before you confirm. After payment, the new name is applied, and you should re-print or re-download your boarding passes. If you have trouble or have a more complex situation (like more than 3 letters or you’re very close to the flight), you can call easyJet Customer Service; they can process it (with the slightly higher fee). easyJet allows name changes up to 2 hours before departure online (cutting it that close isn’t recommended, but it’s possible). Always double-check the confirmation email after making the change to ensure the names are correct.
• Official link: See easyJet’s “Change flight and name” help page, which clearly states spelling mistakes (≤3 characters) and title changes are free online. The fee schedule is detailed in their terms: currently £25/£55 depending on advance, and the site will calculate it for you before you pay. (Our info is sourced from easyJet’s policy and fee table.)

Emirates

• Are name changes allowed? Emirates does not allow transferring a ticket to a completely different person. However, they do accommodate name corrections for misspellings and have a specific policy (with a small fee) for those corrections. Essentially, if the name on the ticket is almost correct but slightly off from your passport, Emirates will amend it. But you cannot change the entire traveller.
• Fee: Emirates charges a small admin fee for name corrections: GBP £10 per ticket for direct bookings, or £20 per ticket if booked via a travel agent. These are very reasonable compared to other airlines. That fee applies to corrections like typo fixes, adding missing middle names, or adjusting a surname if it was entered incorrectly. If you booked through an online travel agency, you’ll likely pay the £20 fee via that agent (since the travel agent has to process it). Emirates does not charge anything if it’s a simple title change (Mr/Mrs.) or adding a suffix, etc. Importantly, these fees are per ticket (not per leg, so a return journey is one ticket and just incurs one fee.
• How to change: If you spot a mistake, contact Emirates support as soon as possible. If you booked directly on, you can call their customer service or visit a ticket office; they will collect the £10 fee and correct the name. If you booked via a third-party/travel agent, that agent must request the change (hence the £20 fee). Emirates requires that name corrections be done before the first flight in the itinerary departs, so don’t wait until after you’ve flown one leg. They may ask for a copy of your passport to verify the correct name. For legal name changes (marriage, etc.), Emirates will usually waive fees if you provide documentation, as long as it’s the same passenger continuing the journey.
• Official link: Emirates’ UK Terms and Conditions explicitly list the name amendment fees (£10/£20). Their FAQ also states you can correct misspellings on a ticket by contacting them, and it must be done prior to travel. Emirates is relatively forgiving on this issue, but always make sure your ticket name closely matches your passport when booking to avoid any hassle.

Jet2

• Are name changes allowed? Yes, Jet2 (the UK leisure airline) allows you to change passenger names on a booking. They even allow one free minor spelling correction (up to 3 characters) without charge. To change the entire name to a new person, Jet2 charges a fee, but is relatively reasonable it. Notably, Jet2 does not usually charge a fare difference for a name change (as long as the flights and dates remain the same), you just pay the admin fee. They effectively treat it differently from a date change.
• Fee: £35 per person, per flight is Jet2’s standard name change fee. That means £35 for a one-way or £70 for a round-trip if you’re changing the name on both outbound and inbound. Importantly, Jet2 caps the fee at £35 each way, even if you do multiple changes in one call. If, say, two people on the booking need their names changed, it would be £35 each. Jet2’s policy notes that if you do the change through their call centre, one name change per booking will not incur any fare increase; they only charge the fee (if you have multiple changes beyond that, they might require any fare difference for subsequent changes). Minor spelling fixes (3 letters or fewer) are free of charge and can be done by contacting Jet2.
• How to change: Online via “Manage My Booking”, Jet2 allows you to edit passenger names up to 5 hours before the scheduled departure time if you use the online system. Log in to the Jet2 website with your booking reference, find the option for name change, and follow the steps to pay the fee and update the name. If you’re within 5 hours of departure (or prefer phone), you can call Jet2’s customer service; they can process a name change up to 4 hours before departure. In some cases, Jet2 staff at the airport can also assist (they mention “in many cases at the airport”, likely for last-minute emergencies). Always double-check the new details on your booking confirmation after making the change.
• Official link: Jet2’s Conditions and their FAQ confirm the £35 fee and the time limits (name changes allowed until 4–5 hours pre-departure). Additionally, SpareFare’s summary highlights that Jet2 does not usually charge an extra fare for a name swap, just the fixed fee. This makes Jet2 one of the more lenient airlines for this kind of change (they understand sometimes a friend or family member might take over a ticket).

KLM

• Are name changes allowed? Transfers, no, corrections, yes. Like its partner Air France, KLM does not permit changing the ticket to a completely different person. However, KLM is very accommodating with name corrections. They even advertise that a typo in your name is “No charge, we don’t charge you for being human.”. So if the booking name is mostly correct except for a small spelling mistake, KLM will fix it for free. What they won’t allow is changing the entire first or last name to someone else. In cases of a legal name change (marriage, etc.), they will update the ticket for the same passenger with documentation.
• Fee: €0 for minor typos. You can correct up to (typically) 3 characters in your name without any fee, as long as the corrected name is clearly the same person. KLM does not list a formal fee for other cases, because they handle them individually. If you somehow needed to change a name completely (say you accidentally booked in someone else’s name), KLM would require you to cancel/refund (if ticket conditions allow) or potentially do a name change as a ticket reissue for a fee. That fee could be substantial (for example, Flying Blue mentions up to $150 for certain economy fares as a “name change cost”). But for most travellers, expect no charge for a simple correction and no option to change traveller unless you cancel.
• How to change: Use “My Trip” on KLM’s website. KLM allows you to request a name correction online. Under your booking, there may be a “Correct a typo” link (they often instruct that if your name is misspelt, you can fill out a form or request the change via Manage Booking). Alternatively, KLM encourages contacting them via social media (Twitter or Facebook), their 24/7 social media support can handle name corrections quickly. Provide your booking code and what needs fixing. It takes about 24 hours for the correction to process in their system, so don’t do it last-minute. If you booked through an agent, that agent can also coordinate with KLM to correct the name. Remember, if you need to cancel and rebook (for an actual passenger change), check the fare rules or call KLM; depending on your ticket type, you might get a voucher or partial refund to use for a new ticket.
• Official link: KLM’s website proudly notes “Typo? No charge” as a benefit. Their support pages also guide how to correct a misspelt name free of charge (and they caution to do it well before check-in). KLM will not change the person travelling; their general conditions of carriage state tickets are personal. But within the realm of corrections, KLM is one of the most customer-friendly.

Lufthansa

• Are name changes allowed? Not for switching passengers, Lufthansa tickets are non-transferable. However, Lufthansa has a clear policy for corrections: If the ticket hasn’t been issued yet (for example, if you reserved through a travel agent who hasn’t finalized it), they allow free name changes. Once ticketed, you can’t just change to a different person, but you can correct the name you have. They also explicitly allow free name corrections after ticketing for major life events (marriage/divorce) or minor errors. If you truly need to change the passenger, Lufthansa would require issuing a new ticket (often with fees).
• Fee: Free before ticket issuance, €100 per passenger after ticket issuance if you need to change the name on an issued ticket. In practice, that €100 is the fee Lufthansa charges for a permissible name change on a ticket; usually, this would apply in scenarios like corporate or Flex fares where name change is allowed. For standard economy tickets, Lufthansa doesn’t normally allow a change in traveller at all (so the €100 fee is somewhat theoretical unless you have a changeable fare). Name corrections, on the other hand, are often free of charge: Lufthansa will fix typos, and if you got married and your passport name changed, they’ll update the ticket free with documentation. Think of it this way: €100 is for changing the name (e.g. to another person within the same company on a corporate fare), whereas $0 is for simply correcting the name (spelling or legal change for the same traveller).
• How to change: You must contact Lufthansa’s service centre or your travel agent. Provide the booking reference and the correct name spelling. If it’s a marriage/divorce update, be ready to send a copy of the marriage certificate or ID. Lufthansa’s policy states such corrections are “permissible without charge” even after ticketing. If you are seeking something beyond a correction (like a different person travelling), it likely won’t be allowed unless you booked a highly flexible fare or a group reservation, and even then, the €100 fee applies. Changes should be done well before the flight; Lufthansa may not entertain name fixes at the airport. Also note: Lufthansa has subsidiaries/partners (Austrian, SWISS, etc.); if your ticket involves them, policies are similar, but coordinate with the issuing airline.
• Official link: Lufthansa’s customer info and the article in Explore confirm the “free before ticketing, €100 after” rule. Their conditions of carriage also specify that tickets are non-transferable, but name corrections due to marriage or minor errors are allowed. When in doubt, call Lufthansa; they are generally reasonable if the person travelling remains the same.

Norwegian Air

• Are name changes allowed? Yes, Norwegian Air Shuttle (a low-cost carrier) allows you to change the passenger name on a booking for a fee, except on fully restricted fares. They also have fare types (Flex) that include free name changes. Minor spelling errors can usually be fixed without charge. Norwegian, like many budget airlines, applies the fee per segment.
• Fee: €65 per flight for standard fares (LowFare/LowFare+). This is roughly £55 per flight. It’s charged per person, each way. So if you have a return ticket in LowFare, changing the name for the round-trip would be about €130 total. If you happen to have a Flex ticket (fully flexible), name changes are free on those bookings. Norwegian does not charge a fare difference for simply changing the name, it’s a flat fee. They do, however, charge a separate service fee (€30) if you make the change by phone or at the airport (to encourage online self-service). Minor corrections (e.g., one or two letters) can be done without paying the name change fee in many cases, Norwegian’s policy even states some misspellings can be corrected on the website for free.
• How to change: Online via Norwegian’s “My Travels” is the best way. Norwegian allows name changes online up to 3 hours before departure. Log in, choose your booking, and select the option to change the passenger’s name. The system will show the fee (if any). Pay the fee and you’ll get an updated confirmation. If you’re within 3 hours of departure or encounter issues online, you can call their support or do it at the airport ticket desk (but expect that additional phone/airport service charge of €30 per person each way. Remember that if you booked through an external site, you might need to contact that agent to process the name change (and they may have their own admin fees). As always, ensure the new name exactly matches the travel document.
• Official link: Norwegian publishes its optional fees on their website: Name Change €65, and it notes changes are charged per person, per leg. The policy also highlights that Flex fares have free name changes. Norwegian’s help pages confirm you can change names up to 3 hours before departure.

Ryanair

• Are name changes allowed? Yes, Ryanair probably has the most well-known (and steep) name change policy. They will let you completely change the passenger name on a booking, but it comes at a high price if you miss the initial grace period. Minor mistakes can be fixed free within a short window. Beyond that, any change of name, even one letter, triggers their fee. In short: you can change the name on a Ryanair ticket, but it will cost you (often more than the original fare!).
• Fee: £115 per booking online, £160 via phone/airport. This is the Ryanair name change fee (2025) for a full passenger name swap. It’s a flat fee that covers all flights in the booking (so if it’s a return, £115 covers both legs for that one person’s name change). The fee used to be €115/€160, which Ryanair now shows equivalently in GBP for UK customers. Notably, Ryanair gives a 48-hour grace period after booking, where you can correct minor name errors for free. Specifically, you can swap first and last names or fix up to 3 characters within 48 hours of booking at no charge via the online “My Booking” page. Outside those 48 hours, even a minor change may incur a fee, though Ryanair has mentioned small spelling errors (one letter) might not “need to be changed” formally. If you truly need to change the entire name (different person travelling), it’s £115 (if self-done online) or a whopping £160 if a Ryanair agent does it. Tip: It’s almost always cheaper to do it yourself on Ryanair’s website to avoid the higher fee. Also, watch for Ryanair’s occasional promo: sometimes in off-peak they discount the name change fee (not common, but worth keeping an eye on).
• How to change: Use Ryanair’s “Manage Booking” online as early as possible. There’s a dedicated option to “Change Name”, follow the prompts, enter the new name, and pay the fee. This can be done up to 24 hours before the flight online. If you are within 24 hours of departure, you’ll have to do it via the call centre or at the airport desk (cutoff is 2 hours before departure via those channels). Note that if you have already checked in, you must contact Ryanair to undo check-in before a name change can be made. For legal name changes (e.g., you booked in your maiden name but your passport has your married name now), Ryanair will update the name for free if you provide the marriage certificate and do it through their customer chat support. Also, within 48 hours of booking, you can correct any reversed names or typos online for free. Take advantage of that grace period. Beyond 48 hours, the full fee kicks in even if you just need to add a missing middle name letter, sadly. Double-check all spellings when you book Ryanair to avoid this, because £115 is often far more than the flight itself!
• Official link: Ryanair’s fee table (General Terms & Conditions) explicitly lists “Name Change Fee: £115 online, £160 via agent”. Their Help Centre FAQ details the 48-hour free correction window and the process for name changes. It’s one of the highest fees in the industry, which Ryanair openly publishes, so consider it the costliest mistake to fix.

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)

• Are name changes allowed? Technically, SAS allows changes to certain tickets, but it’s not straightforward. SAS’s general policy: tickets are personal and non-transferable, except if you have a FLEX type ticket or within certain markets. In practice, SAS treats a name change as a form of rebooking. For many SAS tickets (especially those bought via flysas.com in Europe), you can rebook to a new passenger for a fee if you meet conditions. Essentially, SAS will cancel your original ticket and simultaneously issue a new one in the new name, charging a fee. Minor spelling corrections are typically free, you can call SAS to fix a typo without charge.
• Fee: Around £50-£60 per person, per flight is the typical SAS name change/rebooking fee. The original APH info noted “£57 per person per leg within Europe”, which aligns with roughly 600 SEK or €65. SAS’s fees can vary slightly by market and fare type, but expect roughly €60 (or the local currency equivalent) per segment for a name change on a rebookable ticket. Additionally, if the fare for the flight is higher now than when you booked, you must pay the fare difference on top of the change fee. (If the fare is lower, you don’t get a refund of the difference.) For example, if you booked a flight for £100 and now it’s £150, you’d pay the £57 change fee + £50 fare difference. If it’s lower or the same price now, you just pay the fee.
• How to change: Contact SAS customer service or the travel agent you booked with. SAS allows name changes for most tickets purchased on their website, but you have to go through their support to do it. Provide the new passenger’s details. Pay the fee and any fare difference. SAS permits these changes up to 1 hour before departure for many routes (but it’s wise to do it earlier). If you booked a SAS Go Light super-cheap fare, be aware that it might not be changeable at all (name or date). Flex tickets can change name without a fee, IIRC, but those are pricey to begin with. Always confirm with the agent what the total cost will be. Minor corrections (like fixing two letters because of a misspelling) can often be done by the agent without invoking the full fee, since it’s the same person, they might just update the name record. This isn’t guaranteed in writing, but SAS reps tend to be understanding with obvious typos.
• Official link: SAS’s conditions mention that most tickets can be rebooked for a fee (they don’t openly advertise name change fees on their site, but it’s handled as a rebooking). The reference we have captures the gist: about £57 per leg plus any fare difference. It’s recommended to ask SAS directly based on your booking class, they’ll inform you if a name change is allowed and the cost.

TUI Airways (and TUI Holidays)

• Are name changes allowed? Yes, if you’ve booked a flight or holiday with TUI (formerly Thomson), you can change passenger names for a fee. TUI also allows free spelling corrections. If it’s a package holiday, UK regulations actually permit a name transfer to another person (with fees) up to a certain point. TUI’s policy aligns with that: you can transfer your booking to another person up to 7 days before travel. For flight-only bookings with TUI Airways, they similarly allow name changes for a fee prior to departure.
• Fee: £25 per name change. This £25 per person fee applies regardless of when you change (TUI’s terms show £25 if 29+ days out, and the same £25 if within 2 weeks, so it’s a flat admin fee). Importantly, TUI states you don’t pay the fee for correcting a simple spelling error, which is free. But changing the actual person (even just the surname to someone else is £25. If you’re changing the lead passenger on a package holiday, TUI might require reissuing invoices, etc., but the fee is still £25. Note: if the holiday includes flights, there might be additional airline charges if the airline isn’t TUI Airways (e.g., a package with BA flights might incur BA’s rules). But for TUI Airways flights or packages with TUI, £25 is the standard.
• How to change: Contact TUI (by phone or your travel agent) as soon as you know the new name. Name changes with TUI cannot be done online; you’ll need to call their customer service or visit a TUI store. If you booked through a third-party agent, that agent must process the name change with TUI. Have your booking reference and the new passenger details ready. If it’s just a spelling fix, mention that, they should waive the fee for simple errors. If transferring the holiday to someone else, remember TUI requires at least 7 days’ notice in writing (email or letter) from the original lead passenger to do a full transfer of a package booking. They will then issue new travel documents in the new name. Always get confirmation that the name change is completed. If there’s any additional cost (for example, if tickets have been issued and an airline charges something extra), TUI will advise, but generally it’s just the £25.
• Official link: TUI’s booking conditions clearly state “you can correct a spelling error without paying a fee” and that a name/passenger change costs £25 per person. This applies to TUI holidays and TUI Airways flights. So, relatively speaking, TUI’s fee is modest. Just don’t wait until the last minute (if you show up at the airport with the wrong name on your ticket, it might be too late to change).

United Airlines

• Are name changes allowed? Not in the sense of changing to a different traveller, United, like other major U.S. carriers, does not allow you to transfer a ticket to someone else. However, United is quite flexible with minor name corrections for the same passenger, and they have protocols for that. For example, if the name on the ticket is missing a middle name or has a maiden name vs a married name discrepancy, United can often fix it. They also accommodate legal name changes (with documentation). Essentially: no changing the person, but yes to fixing the name for the same person.
• Fee: Free for minor corrections (such as fixing up to a few letters, adding a missing middle initial, or changing a surname after marriage with proof). United does not usually charge for these, especially if you catch it early. In some cases, United has charged a $75 fee for a name correction within 24 hours of booking. This is a bit confusing because United also has a 24-hour free cancellation policy. It might be that if you don’t want to cancel and rebook, they’ll do a name change for $75 within 24 hours. After 24 hours, some sources mention a $200 fee for a significant name change. This likely corresponds to United’s old change fee (which was $200 on many international tickets). Essentially, if you need to reissue the ticket in a new name, United treats it like a non-refundable ticket being changed, with a $200 reissue fee. However, since 2021, United no longer charges change fees on most fares (except Basic Economy) for date changes; name changes are still not standard, though. If you had a high-value ticket and they allowed a courtesy name change, they might charge up to $200. In practice, if it’s truly the same traveller and just a mistake in name, they often waive fees. If someone else needs to use the ticket, they won’t do it at all (the ticket would be cancelled, and you might get a credit if applicable, minus fees).
• How to change: Call United reservations or use the “My Trips” online to see if a correction can be made. Often, you will need to speak to an agent for name issues. If it’s adding your middle name or fixing one letter, they typically notate the reservation so that it matches your passport, without reissuing the ticket. For larger discrepancies, they might reissue the ticket (possibly incurring a fee or using up any travel credit). If you recently got married/divorced and changed your passport name, United will update the ticket free of charge. You’ll need to provide a copy of the marriage or divorce certificate and possibly your ID. If you have a MileagePlus account, ensure your profile name matches your passport; but changing that profile doesn’t change existing tickets, you still have to request a ticket reissue if needed. United’s policy is pretty customer-friendly for genuine corrections, but not for transferring ownership.
• Official link: United doesn’t publish a specific “name change fee” on their main site because, officially, name changes aren’t a provided service except for corrections. However, their internal policy (noted in travel agency references) allows minor corrections. The Explore article confirms United is one of the airlines that offers free name corrections in cases like marriage. Also, numerous travel forums and United’s Twitter support have indicated no fee for simple fixes. So, bottom line: if you need a small name fix, United will do it (just call); if you need a different person to fly, United won’t allow it (they’d advise using the 24-hour cancel or, if past that, you’re out of luck unless you have refundable tickets).

Virgin Atlantic

• Are name changes allowed? No for new passenger, yes for corrections. Virgin Atlantic, like BA, does not let you change a ticket to a completely different person. They will, however, correct or amend the name for the same traveller in many cases. Virgin is actually quite flexible with timing, allowing corrections up to 2 hours before departure for mistakes. They also explicitly accommodate legal name changes with documentation. So, while you can’t sell your ticket to someone or give it away, you can get Virgin to fix the name if you spelled it wrong or if your name changed after booking.
• Fee: Virgin Atlantic does not charge for minor name changes or spelling corrections. They state these will be “corrected for free” and can be done up to 2 hours pre-flight. If you completely change the person, that’s not allowed at all (so there’s no fee because it’s a no-go). If you had a special case where perhaps a travel agent is involved, Virgin might treat it as a cancellation and new booking (which would incur whatever fare difference, etc.), but direct bookings follow the rule above. For legal name changes (marriage/divorce) Virgin also does it free, you just have to show the marriage certificate or deed poll, etc. So, essentially, a £0 fee for name corrections with Virgin. (Keep in mind, if for some reason your ticket was issued incorrectly and it’s not a small correction, Virgin might require reissuing the ticket, which could theoretically involve a fee, but their policy suggests they waive it for genuine reasons.)
• How to change: Contact Virgin Atlantic support, either by phone or WhatsApp (Virgin has a WhatsApp service for customer support which is very convenient). Explain the issue and provide the correct name spelling. If it’s a passport name vs ticket name mismatch due to marriage, provide your booking, and they’ll tell you how to send the supporting document (often via email). They will update the booking and reissue your e-ticket in the corrected name. If you notice the mistake far in advance, do it then. But Virgin’s policy specifically says even if you notice close to departure, they can still help (up to 2 hours before flight), that’s quite generous, but try not to push it that late. Once fixed, you should receive a new e-ticket. Note that if your booking was made through a travel agent, the agent might need to do the name correction with Virgin. Also, Virgin does not require middle names on tickets, so if that’s the only discrepancy, you actually don’t need to do anything (airlines generally don’t mind missing middle names).
• Official link: Virgin’s own wording (from the APH source) states: minor spelling errors corrected free, cannot transfer to someone else, and legal changes are free with documentation. This aligns with Virgin’s customer service approach. On their website FAQ, they usually advise calling in if you need a name correction. Virgin Atlantic is known for good customer service, and this is an area they handle case-by-case with no punitive fees.

Wizz Air

• Are name changes allowed? Yes, Wizz Air, the European low-cost carrier, allows changing the passenger name on a reservation for a fee. They also let you correct small mistakes once for free. Wizz Air’s policy is quite similar to easyJet’s in structure (fee per segment, with an online vs call centre difference). So if your friend wants to take over your Wizz Air flight, you can do a name change rather than cancel/rebook.
• Fee: €50-€60 per flight segment is the typical Wizz Air name change fee. As of recent data, Wizz Air’s website indicates a €60 fee (whether done online or via call centre, both €60) for changing the name after a certain point. Older info mentioned €45 or €50, but it appears to have risen to €60. Additionally, if you use the call centre, there’s a €15 call centre transaction fee on top (so effectively €75 if done by phone). The fee is charged per passenger, per flight. So a round-trip (two legs) would be €120 in fees if done online. The good news: Wizz Air lets you do one free correction of up to 3 characters in a name (or to fix a title) at no cost, as long as it’s done online. If you have more than 3 characters to change, that’s considered a full name change, and the fee applies. Note: if you catch a mistake within 24 hours of booking, Wizz Air may allow you to correct it via their call centre without charge as well (many airlines have a 24h grace for any changes). But officially, the policy is “some misspellings may be changed without fee on ” and otherwise the fee kicks in.
• How to change: Use Wizz Air’s website (or mobile app). Under your booking, there is a “Name change” option. Wizz Air allows name changes up to 3 hours before departure online. If you do it online, you’ll pay the standard fee (around €60 per leg). If you call their customer service, you’ll pay the fee plus the €15 call fee. So online is strongly recommended. To get the one-time free 3-character correction, log in to your Wizz Air account, go to your booking, and look for an option to correct the name. If eligible, it should let you edit a few letters without charging. If not, it will quote the fee. Follow through with payment, and then you’ll have an updated confirmation with the correct name. If you booked via an agency, you might have to contact them to initiate the change (which could be cumbersome with Wizz; direct booking is easier). Always save any confirmation of the name change completion. And as always, ensure the name in your Wizz account and the travel docs match to avoid any discrepancy.
• Official link: Wizz Air’s “Name change” help page states a fee is charged for each passenger and flight. Their “All Services & Fees” page lists the name change fee (e.g., $75 or €70 depending on currency, which aligns with €60 plus maybe tax). Also, TravelSupermarket’s summary shows €50 per leg plus €15 if via call, with one free minor change allowed. The key takeaway: Wizz Air will do it, but it’s not cheap, double-check your booking details to avoid paying up to £50 for a small mistake.

FAQs

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

Changing or correcting the name on a flight ticket in 2025 is certainly possible, but it ranges from free and easy to expensive and tedious depending on the airline. Here are the key takeaways from our guide:

• Double-check the name at booking. The simplest way to avoid name change fees is to have the correct name from the start. Make sure the first name and last name match your passport (middle names usually aren’t required). This avoids the whole “how much does it cost to change the name on a plane ticket?” question altogether.
• Know your airline’s grace period. Many airlines offer a 24-48 hour window after booking where you can fix mistakes at no cost. Use it! For instance, British Airways allows free cancellation within 24 hours, and Ryanair lets you correct minor errors within 48 hours. If you realise an error, act immediately while you can still avoid fees.
• Minor typo? Most will fix for free. Almost all airlines (even the ultra-low-cost ones) will fix a minor spelling error or title issue without charge, especially if you contact them early. Don’t panic if you see one letter off; call the airline, and it’s likely they’ll amend it as a courtesy.
• Transferring to someone else? If you ask, “Can I change the name on a plane ticket to someone else?”, the answer is yes, only with certain airlines (generally low-cost carriers) and for a hefty fee. Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, Wizz Air, and Norwegian all allow it, but you might pay anywhere from £35 (Jet2) to £115+ (Ryanair) for the privilege. Traditional airlines like American, Delta, BA, etc., do not allow transferring tickets at all (you’d have to refund or eat the cost). Always compare the fee vs. buying a new ticket; sometimes, a new ticket is cheaper if the original fare was low.
• Online self-service saves money. Airlines often charge an extra £5-£30 if you need to make the change via their call centre. Use the manage booking online tools whenever possible to get the lower fee (or no fee) option. This applies to easyJet, Wizz, Norwegian, etc., even Ryanair is cheaper online than by phone.
• Have documentation for legal name changes. If your name changed due to marriage, divorce, etc., bring the marriage certificate or legal document and inform the airline well ahead. Most will update your ticket free of charge. It’s best if the flight is still a few days or weeks out; last-minute requests could be trickier.
• Mind the time limits. Each airline has a cut-off before departure for making changes. It could be 1-2 hours (Ryanair, Virgin) or 4-5 hours (Jet2) or even 24+ hours (some airlines). Don’t wait until arriving at the airport, by then, some carriers like easyJet or Wizz Air might refuse changes under 2-3 hours to go. Plan to sort out any name issues at least a day before your flight.
• Check official resources. We’ve provided links and references (see the sources below) for each airline’s current policy. It’s wise to double-check the airline’s website or call them if you’re unsure. Policies can update, and fees can change (for example, some fees cited in 2024 went up by 2025). Always get the agent’s name or some confirmation when you process a name change.

In summary, changing the name on a flight ticket can be straightforward if it’s a minor fix, but it can be costly if it’s a full change of traveller. By understanding the rules and acting quickly, you can save money, or at least know what to budget for. Safe travels and may all your bookings be error-free!

Disclaimer: All airline name change policies, fees, and procedures mentioned in this guide are accurate at the time of publishing. However, airlines frequently update their terms. Always double-check directly with the carrier or booking provider before making any changes.