Edelweiss Air, a Swiss leisure airline and subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, enforces a strict 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 generally non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted. Minor corrections for typos are allowed under specific conditions, typically with a fee. The policy emphasizes correct spelling of names during booking, as outlined in Edelweiss Air’s terms. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Edelweiss Air prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Economy Saver, Economy, Economy Max, and Business, as tickets are non-transferable. Minor corrections for spelling errors, typically up to three characters, are permitted for tickets booked directly through Edelweiss Air’s website or Service Centre, provided changes are requested before check-in begins, typically one hour before departure for short-haul flights and three hours for long-haul flights. The policy applies to unused tickets for flights operated by Edelweiss Air (WK/EDW code). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Swiss International Air Lines or Lufthansa), the operating airline’s policy applies. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source. For international flights, the name must be in Roman alphabet (A-Z) without spaces or special symbols, matching the passport exactly.
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, up to three characters (e.g., correcting “Jonh” to “John”).
- 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 deleting a middle name to align with the ID or passport, though this may be treated as a name change requiring additional documentation or fees.
Fees
Minor corrections of up to three characters may be free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Edelweiss Air or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. Beyond this period, a name correction fee, typically in Swiss francs or euros, applies, varying by fare type, route, and timing. Significant changes, such as legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) or middle name adjustments, may require cancellation and rebooking, incurring a cancellation fee, a new ticket purchase, and a possible fare difference if the new fare is higher. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies, airport counters, or the Service Centre. For specific fee details, contact Edelweiss Air’s Service Centre.
Process
- Contact Centre: Contact Edelweiss Air’s Service Centre via phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code), ID, and supporting documents (e.g., passport). Online corrections through the “My Booking” section are not available for name changes, as the website supports flight rebooking or cancellations but not name corrections.
- Airport Counter: Visit an Edelweiss Air ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Zurich Airport) 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., Airpaz, Kayak), 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 need official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted. The original ticket must be cancelled (subject to fare rules, e.g., Economy Saver allows only airport tax refunds) and a new ticket purchased for a different traveler.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., Swiss International Air Lines, Lufthansa), even if booked through Edelweiss Air, are subject to the operating airline’s policy.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically one hour before short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul flights.
- Character Limit: Minor typo corrections are limited to three characters in the first, middle, or last name.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Economy Saver and other restricted fares have stricter rules, often requiring cancellation and rebooking with significant fees or no refund except for airport taxes.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require cancellation and rebooking.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (e.g., typos up to three characters) are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Edelweiss Air and for flights at least seven days away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly through Edelweiss Air, allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or non-refundable fares like Economy Saver, where only airport taxes are refundable.
How to Request a Name Change
- Phone: Contact Edelweiss Air’s Service Centre with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready. The Service Centre operates daily with contact numbers available for various regions (e.g., Switzerland, Germany, USA).
- Email: Email the Service Centre using the contact form on the Edelweiss Air website, providing the booking reference, correction details, and supporting documents.
- Live Chat/WhatsApp: Use live chat or WhatsApp on the Edelweiss Air website, providing the booking reference and correction details.
- Airport Counter: Visit an Edelweiss Air ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via Edelweiss Air’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.
- Middle Name Concerns: For domestic or short-haul 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 may be treated as a name change, potentially requiring cancellation and rebooking.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties are complex, as Edelweiss Air requires the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays or additional fees.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Edelweiss Air 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. Edelweiss Air’s booking conditions stress the importance of correct name spelling at booking to avoid issues.
- Lufthansa Group Policies: As a Lufthansa Group member, Edelweiss Air’s policy aligns closely with sister airline Swiss International Air Lines, but specific restrictions (e.g., Economy Saver) are unique. Confirm with the Service Centre for codeshare flights.
