Delta Airlines Name Change Policy

Delta Airlines, a major U.S. carrier and SkyTeam member, enforces a name change policy to comply with aviation security regulations, requiring the name on the ticket to match the passenger’s government-issued ID or passport exactly. Tickets are non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted, except for corporate travel partners with specific agreements. Minor corrections for typos, legal name changes, and other specific adjustments are allowed under certain conditions, often without a fee for minor changes. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.

General Rule

Delta Airlines prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy), Delta Main Classic, Comfort, First, and Delta One, except for corporate travel partners enrolled in the Corporate Name Change service, which allows ticket transfers with potential fees. Minor name corrections, typically up to three characters, legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption), and other adjustments like adding a middle name or correcting name order are permitted for Delta-operated flights (006 ticket stock) booked directly through Delta channels. Changes must be requested before check-in begins, typically one hour before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Air France, KLM, Korean Air), the operating airline’s policy applies. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source. Notably, Delta restricts all name changes and corrections for travel between the U.S. and China, requiring a new reservation to be booked. The name on the ticket must be in Roman alphabet (A-Z) without spaces or special symbols, matching the passport exactly for international travel.

Permitted Name Corrections and Updates

• Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, up to three characters (e.g., correcting “Jonh” to “John”).
• Legal Name Changes: Updates due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or other legal reasons, supported by official documents (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
• Name Order Errors: Fixing swapped first and last names to match the ID or passport (e.g., correcting “SMITH JOHN” to “JOHN SMITH”).
• Middle Name Adjustments: Adding or updating a middle name to align with the ID or passport.
• Combined Last Name Additions: Adding a hyphenated or combined last name (e.g., changing “SMITH” to “SMITHANDERSON”).
• Nickname to Legal Name: Changing a nickname to the legal name (e.g., “Jim” to “James”), often requiring supporting documentation like a birth certificate.
• Date of Birth and Gender: Correcting date of birth or gender, supported by legal documentation (e.g., passport, driver’s license).

Fees

Minor corrections of up to three characters, name order errors, middle name additions, combined last name additions, and nickname-to-legal-name changes are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Delta or if the error was made by Delta or its agents. Beyond this period, a name correction fee may apply, typically ranging from a small to a moderate amount in US dollars, depending on fare type, route, and timing. Legal name changes, date of birth, or gender corrections require supporting documentation and may incur a fee if not requested within one day. If a correction requires rebooking into a higher fare class, a fare difference may apply, along with applicable taxes. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies, airport counters, or the Contact Centre. For corporate travel partners using the Corporate Name Change service, ticket transfers to another traveler may incur a fee, determined by the fare type and agreement. For specific fee details, contact Delta’s Reservations or Global Sales Support.

Process

• Online Changes: For minor corrections (up to three characters, name order errors, middle name additions), use the “My Trips” section on Delta’s website or Fly Delta app. Log in with the confirmation number (six-digit alphanumeric code) and passenger’s last name, select the booking, and update the name via the “Change Name” option. Supporting documents may be required for legal changes.
• Contact Centre: For corrections exceeding three characters, legal name changes, date of birth, gender, or Corporate Name Change service requests, contact Delta’s Reservations via phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents. For travel between the U.S. and China, contact Global Sales Support for assistance with new reservations.
• Airport Counter: Visit a Delta ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Atlanta, JFK, or LAX airports) at least three hours before departure with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification.
• Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party platform (e.g., Expedia, Orbitz), changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may involve additional fees or delays.
• Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes, date of birth, or gender corrections need official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, birth certificate, or passport. Corporate Name Change requests require verification of the new traveler’s ID.
• Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD): After a name correction, update the SSR DOCS in the PNR with the correct SFPD to comply with security requirements.

Restrictions

• No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted, except for corporate travel partners with the Corporate Name Change service. Otherwise, the original ticket must be cancelled (subject to fare rules) and a new ticket purchased.
• U.S.-China Travel: Name changes and corrections are restricted for travel between the U.S. and China, requiring a new reservation to be booked through Global Sales Support.
• Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., Air France, KLM, Korean Air), even if Delta-coded, are subject to the operating airline’s policy.
• Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically one hour before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
• Character Limit: Minor typo corrections are limited to three characters in the first, middle, or last name for travel agent corrections without contacting Delta.
• Fare Type Restrictions: Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable in most cases, though cancellations may yield a partial eCredit. Other fares (Classic, Comfort, First, Delta One) have more flexibility but may incur fees for significant changes.
• Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require cancellation and rebooking.
• Other Modifications: Additional changes to dates, routes, or other personal information cannot be made alongside a name correction.

Free Correction Period

Minor corrections (e.g., typos up to three characters, name order errors, middle name additions, combined last name additions) and legal name changes with valid documentation are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Delta and for flights at least seven days away, or if the error was made by Delta or its agents. Tickets purchased directly from Delta qualify for the 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation policy, allowing cancellation within one day of purchase for a full refund with no fees, enabling rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) tickets after the 24-hour period.

How to Request a Name Change

• Online: For minor corrections, use the “My Trips” section on Delta’s website or Fly Delta app. Log in with the confirmation number and last name, select the booking, and update the name via the “Change Name” option.
• Phone: Contact Delta’s Reservations with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents for corrections, legal name changes, or Corporate Name Change requests. For U.S.-China travel, contact Global Sales Support.
• Email: Email the Contact Centre with the booking reference, correction details, and supporting documents.
• Live Chat/WhatsApp: Use live chat or WhatsApp on the website or app, providing the booking reference and correction details.
• Airport Counter: Visit a Delta ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
• Social Media: Reach out via Delta’s social media channels (e.g., X, Facebook) for assistance, providing the booking reference and documents.
• Third-Party Bookings: Contact the travel agency or platform where the ticket was booked to initiate the correction process.

Practical Notes

• Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction request. The corrected name must match the passport exactly, especially for international flights, to avoid boarding issues.
• Timing: Request corrections at least one day before departure to avoid complications, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins. For U.S.-China travel, plan for a new reservation well in advance.
• Middle Name Concerns: For domestic flights, missing middle names may be overlooked if the first and last names match, but international travel requires an exact match. Adding a middle name is generally straightforward but may require documentation if treated as a legal change.
• Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties are complex, as Delta requires the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays or additional fees.
• Agent Errors: If the error was made by Delta or an agent, emphasize this when requesting a correction, as it may qualify for a free change.
• Check Passport Format: For international travel, ensure the name matches the passport’s Roman alphabet spelling exactly, without spaces or special symbols.
• Corporate Travel Partners: If enrolled in the Corporate Name Change service, verify eligibility with your Delta Account Manager or Travel Management Company (TMC) for ticket transfers.
• SkyMiles Account: For legal name changes, update the SkyMiles account separately via the Identity Verification Form on Delta’s website, submitting supporting documentation.