Made a spelling error or had a legal name change after booking your Southwest flight? Our comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about the Southwest Airlines name change policy, from simple typo corrections to more complex situations, ensuring you can board your flight without any hassle. Southwest Airlines permits minor name corrections but prohibits transferring a ticket to another person.
|
Type of Change |
Allowed |
Fee |
|
Minor Spelling Errors |
Yes |
Free |
|
Legal Name Change |
Yes |
Varies |
|
Changing Passenger Entirely |
No |
– |
|
Passport Mismatch |
Sometimes |
Depends on the type of change |
Even small mistakes in your name can lead to:
Airlines must match the name on your ticket exactly with the name on your passport or government-issued ID. This is especially strict for U.S. citizens traveling to the Schengen area.
A name change on an airline ticket is the process of correcting your name on a confirmed booking to match the government-issued ID you will use at the airport. Southwest Airlines distinguishes between:
Fixing minor errors like spelling mistakes (e.g., “Jhon” to “John”) or reversing first/last names. These are generally permitted with documentation.
Completely changing the passenger’s name to another person is strictly prohibited unless due to a legal name change (e.g., marriage, divorce) with proper documentation.
Minor spelling corrections (typically up to 3 characters), adding middle names, or correcting transliteration errors. Legal name changes due to marriage/divorce are permitted with documentation.
Transferring tickets to another person is explicitly prohibited under Southwest Airlines’ conditions of carriage.
Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license) showing correct spelling. For legal changes: a marriage certificate, a court order, or a divorce decree.
Requests for online changes must be made at least 10 minutes before departure.
No change fees for name corrections. Only the fare difference applies if the new fare is higher.
Group bookings require direct contact with Southwest Airlines. All fare types are eligible for name changes.
Minor spelling corrections (typically up to 3 characters), adding middle names, or correcting transliteration errors. Legal name changes due to marriage/divorce are permitted with documentation.
You can fix small typos using:
Use this only for minor errors—if your full name or passport data is incorrect, contact phone support instead.
If you need to:
Prepare:
Response time: 24–48 hours for ticket reissue.
Southwest Airlines does not allow:
|
Name change type |
Name change fee |
|
Minor corrections |
Free |
|
Legal or major changes |
Not allowed |
If you booked a ticket from the U.S. within the past 24 hours, you may:
This is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation 24-hour rule.
If you booked through:
You must contact the original booking channel. Southwest Airlines cannot make changes to third-party tickets.
There are certain restrictions that you must check before applying for a name change on Southwest Airlines.
Character Limit: Corrections are limited to three characters total across all name parts.
Ticket Eligibility: Partially flown tickets, codeshare itineraries, and reward tickets are generally ineligible for changes, except for specific partners.
Documentation Requirements: Legal changes require valid documents; otherwise, changes may be denied.
Yes, Southwest Airlines allows corrections of up to 3 characters at no fee, provided you present a valid ID matching the correction.
You can change your name online or contact customer service with your booking confirmation and marriage certificate. No fee applies, only fare difference if applicable.
Southwest has no change fees. You only pay the fare difference if the new flight is more expensive. If cheaper, you receive a travel credit for the difference.
Name change policies are subject to change by Southwest Airlines. The information provided is for guidance only. Always verify the latest policy directly with Southwest Airlines or the relevant authorities. CheapFlyFinder is not affiliated with Southwest Airlines.
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