Fiji Airways, the national carrier of Fiji and a member of the Oneworld Alliance, 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 generally non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted. Minor corrections for typos and legal name changes are allowed under specific conditions, typically with a fee, and must be requested before check-in begins, at least three hours before departure for international flights and one hour for domestic flights. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Fiji Airways prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Economy and Business Class, except in cases involving legal name changes with documentation. Minor corrections for spelling errors (up to three characters) and legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted for tickets booked directly through Fiji Airways’ website, mobile app, or customer service. Changes must be requested before check-in begins, typically one hour before domestic flights and three hours before international flights operated by Fiji Airways or Fiji Link (FJ/261 ticket numbers). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Qantas, American Airlines), the operating airline’s policy applies. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source, and name changes may not be permitted, requiring cancellation and rebooking. For international flights, the name must be in Roman alphabet (A-Z) without spaces or special symbols, matching the passport exactly. Names may appear joined (e.g., “SMITH/JOHNADAM”) per industry practice. After any name change, passengers must re-check in and update their boarding pass.
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, up to three characters across the entire name (e.g., correcting “Jonh” to “John”).
- Title Amendments: Updating titles (e.g., changing “Mr” to “Ms” or “Mstr” for a child).
- 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, provided it matches the travel document.
Fees
Minor corrections (up to three characters) and title amendments are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Fiji Airways 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 US dollars or Fijian dollars, varying by fare type (Economy, Business), route, and timing. Fees may be lower for domestic flights and higher for international routes. Legal name changes require supporting documentation and may incur a fee unless processed within the free correction period. 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 customer service. For third-party bookings, name changes are typically not allowed, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which may incur significant fees or no refund except for airport taxes. For specific fee details, contact Fiji Airways’ customer service.
Process
- Online Changes: Minor corrections (up to three characters) and title amendments can be made through the “Manage Booking” section on Fiji Airways’ 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.
- Customer Service: For legal name changes or corrections requiring assistance, contact Fiji Airways’ 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 Fiji Airways ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Nadi International Airport) at least three hours before international flights or one hour before domestic flights with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification. Airport changes may incur higher fees.
- 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. Fiji Airways typically does not allow name changes for these bookings, requiring cancellation and rebooking, 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. The corrected name must match the travel document exactly.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted, except in cases of legal name changes with documentation. A new ticket must be purchased for a different traveler, and cancellation fees may apply based on fare rules.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., Qantas, American Airlines), even if booked through Fiji Airways, 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 across the entire name, not three per name field (first, middle, or last).
- Fare Type Restrictions: Non-refundable fares (e.g., Economy Lite) have stricter rules, often requiring cancellation and rebooking with significant fees or no refund except for airport taxes. Refundable fares (e.g., Economy Flex, Business) offer more flexibility but may still incur fees.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require cancellation and rebooking.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are typically not eligible for name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth, gender, flight date, time, or destination cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (e.g., typos up to three characters, title amendments, name order errors) and legal name changes with valid documentation are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Fiji Airways 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 Fiji Airways (for flights at least seven days away, per US DOT regulations in the USA), allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or non-refundable fares after the 24-hour period.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: Use the “Manage Booking” section on Fiji Airways’ 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 other changes.
- Phone: Contact Fiji Airways’ 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 Fiji Airways ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before international flights or one hour before domestic flights with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents. Highest fees apply.
- Social Media: Reach out via Fiji Airways’ 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. Name changes are typically not allowed, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
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 before check-in begins (three hours for international flights, one hour for domestic) to ensure processing.
- 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 may be treated as a minor correction (within three characters) or a legal name change with documentation.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are complex, as Fiji Airways typically does not allow name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which can be costly.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Fiji Airways 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. Joined names (e.g., “SMITH/JOHNADAM”) are standard and not an error.
- Oneworld Alliance Considerations: As a Oneworld member, Fiji Airways adheres to strict security standards, but minor discrepancies (e.g., name order) may occasionally be resolved at check-in, though this is not guaranteed.
- Group Bookings: For group bookings, all names must be provided well in advance (e.g., 90 days before departure), and changes may incur additional fees or require rebooking.
