Eurowings, a German low-cost carrier and subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, has a name change policy designed to comply with aviation security regulations, requiring the name on the ticket to match the passenger’s government-issued ID or passport exactly. Unlike many airlines, Eurowings allows both minor corrections for typos and full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for certain fare types, subject to fees and conditions. Changes must be requested at least forty minutes before departure. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Eurowings permits minor name corrections (up to a few characters) and full name changes for certain fare types, including SMART, BIZclass, Flex Light, and Flex Premium, for tickets booked directly through Eurowings’ website, mobile app, or customer service. Changes must be made at least forty minutes before departure and before web check-in closes. The policy applies to unused tickets for flights operated by Eurowings (EW/EWG codes). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with 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. Name changes are not allowed for bookings with an etix® ticket number or for individual flight segments; the entire itinerary must be changed. After any name change, passengers must re-check in and update their boarding pass.
Permitted Name Corrections and Changes
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, typically up to a few characters (e.g., correcting “Jonh” to “John”).
- Title Changes: Updating titles (e.g., changing “Mr” to “Ms”).
- 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 removing a middle name to align with the ID or passport.
- Full Name Changes: Transferring the ticket to another person for flexible fare types (e.g., SMART, BIZclass, Flex Light, Flex Premium), subject to a fee and fare difference if applicable.
Fees
Minor corrections (e.g., typos up to a few characters, title changes, name order errors) are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Eurowings and for flights at least one day away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. Beyond this period, a name correction fee applies, typically in euros, with higher fees for long-haul flights compared to short-haul flights. Full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person incur a processing fee per passenger per flight, with additional costs if the current fare is higher than the original fare. No refund is provided if the new fare is lower. Fees are lower for SMART, Flex Light, or Flex Premium fares compared to Basic fares, which have stricter rules and higher fees. Changes made online or via the mobile app are cheaper than those made through customer service or at airport counters. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies or airport counters. For specific fee details, contact Eurowings’ customer service.
Process
- Online Changes: For minor corrections (e.g., typos, title changes) or full name changes (for eligible fares), use the “Manage Booking” section on Eurowings’ website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference (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 name changes or full name changes.
- Customer Service: For legal name changes, full name changes, or corrections requiring assistance, contact Eurowings’ customer service via phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents (e.g., passport, marriage certificate). Changes via customer service may incur higher fees than online changes.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Eurowings ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Düsseldorf Airport) at least forty minutes before departure with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification. Changes at the airport incur the highest fees and are not recommended due to time constraints.
- Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party platform (e.g., Expedia, 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 and full name changes require official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The new traveler’s ID is required for full name changes.
Restrictions
- No Partial Changes: Name changes apply to the entire itinerary, not individual flight segments.
- No Changes for etix® Tickets: Bookings with an etix® ticket number are not eligible for name changes.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections or changes for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., Lufthansa), even if booked through Eurowings, are subject to the operating airline’s policy.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Changes are not permitted after web check-in closes, typically forty minutes before departure.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Basic fares have stricter rules, often prohibiting full name changes or requiring higher fees. SMART, Flex Light, and Flex Premium fares offer more flexibility.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction or change is permitted per ticket unless otherwise specified. Additional changes require cancellation and rebooking.
- No Route or Date Changes with Name Changes: Name changes must retain the original route and travel dates, though Flex Light and Flex Premium fares allow date changes separately.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction or change.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (e.g., typos up to a few characters, title changes, name order errors) and legal name changes with valid documentation are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Eurowings and for flights at least one day 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 Eurowings, allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or Basic fares after the 24-hour period.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: Use the “Manage Booking” section on Eurowings’ website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference and last name, select the booking, and update the name via the “Change Name” option. Free for minor corrections within one day; fees apply for full name changes or corrections beyond this period.
- Phone: Contact Eurowings’ customer service with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready. Fees may apply, and costs are higher than online changes.
- Email: Submit a name change request form via the website or email the Contact Centre, providing 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 Eurowings ticket counter or check-in desk at least forty minutes before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents. Highest fees apply.
- Social Media: Reach out via Eurowings’ 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 or change process.
Practical Notes
- Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction or change request. The corrected name must match the passport exactly, especially for international flights, to avoid boarding issues.
- Timing: Request changes at least forty minutes before departure to ensure processing, as changes are not permitted after web check-in closes.
- Middle Name Concerns: For domestic or short-haul flights within the Schengen area, 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 minor correction or full name change, depending on fare type.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties are complex, as Eurowings requires the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays or additional fees.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Eurowings 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.
- Flex Fares Advantage: SMART, Flex Light, and Flex Premium fares offer greater flexibility for name changes, with lower or no fees compared to Basic fares.
- Boarding Pass Update: After any name change, re-check in online or at the airport and update the boarding pass to reflect the new details.
- Lufthansa Group Considerations: As a Lufthansa Group member, Eurowings aligns with strict security standards, but its name change policy is more flexible than some sister airlines (e.g., Lufthansa) for certain fare types.
