Flair Airlines, a Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier, 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. Minor corrections for typos (up to three characters) and legal name changes are allowed under specific conditions, typically with a fee, and must be requested at least three hours before departure. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Flair Airlines prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Economy and bundles like TravelFLEX or Big Bundle. 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 Flair’s website, mobile app, or Contact Centre, provided changes are requested at least three hours before departure and before check-in begins, typically one hour before domestic flights and three hours before international or transborder flights (e.g., Canada to USA or Mexico). The policy applies to unused tickets for flights operated by Flair Airlines (FJ ticket numbers). For codeshare or interline flights, 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 and transborder flights, the name must be in Roman alphabet (A-Z) without spaces or special symbols, matching the passport exactly. 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 or last name, up to three characters across the entire name (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, removing, or correcting a middle name, which is not required to match travel documents and does not create issues at check-in.
- First or Last Name Additions: Adding a first or last name to align with the ID or passport, treated as a major correction.
Fees
Minor corrections (up to three characters) are free if requested online through the “Manage My Booking” tool on Flair’s website, regardless of timing, as long as the change is made at least three hours before departure. Corrections made via the Contact Centre incur a transaction fee, typically in Canadian dollars, in addition to any applicable name correction fee. Major corrections (four or more characters, adding a first or last name, or middle name changes) incur a name correction fee, varying by fare type, route, and timing. Legal name changes are free if supported by official documentation (e.g., marriage certificate) and processed via the Contact Centre; otherwise, a name correction fee applies. Fees are higher for changes made through the Contact Centre or at airport counters compared to online changes. If a correction requires rebooking into a higher fare class, a fare difference may apply, along with applicable taxes. 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 Flair’s Contact Centre.
Process
- Online Changes: Minor corrections (up to three characters) can be made through the “Manage My Booking” section on Flair’s website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code) and passenger’s last name, select “Correct Personal Information,” then choose “Change Name / Fix Spelling.” Update the name and confirm. Major corrections (four or more characters, adding a first or last name) can also be made online, with a name correction fee applied.
- Contact Centre: For legal name changes, major corrections, or assistance, contact Flair’s Contact Centre 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). A transaction fee and name correction fee may apply, except for legal name changes with documentation.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Flair Airlines ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Edmonton International Airport) at least three hours before departure with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification. Airport changes incur the highest 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, which may not permit name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
- Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes require official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The corrected name must match the travel document exactly for first and last names; middle names are not required.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted. To travel under a different name, the original ticket must be cancelled (subject to cancellation fees) and a new ticket purchased.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines, even if booked through Flair, 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 or transborder flights, or within three hours of departure.
- Character Limit: Minor corrections are limited to three characters across the entire name, not per name field.
- Fare Type Restrictions: All fare types (e.g., Economy, TravelFLEX, Big Bundle) have the same name change rules, but non-refundable fares may incur higher cancellation fees if rebooking is required.
- 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, or prefix titles (e.g., Mr, Ms) are not permitted alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (up to three characters) are free if made online through the “Manage My Booking” tool at any time before departure, provided the change is requested at least three hours before departure. Legal name changes with valid documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree) are free if processed via the Contact Centre. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for international or transborder flights (e.g., Canada to USA or Mexico) booked at least seven days in advance, allowing rebooking with the correct name. Domestic flights are no longer eligible for refunds within 24 hours, per updated cancellation policies. 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 My Booking” section on Flair’s website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference and last name, select “Correct Personal Information,” then “Change Name / Fix Spelling.” Update the name and confirm. Free for minor corrections; fees apply for major corrections.
- Phone: Contact Flair’s Contact Centre with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready. Fees may apply, including a transaction fee, except for legal name changes with documentation.
- Email: Submit a name change request via email to 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 Flair ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents. Highest fees apply.
- Social Media: Reach out via Flair’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. 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 first and last names must match the passport exactly for international or transborder flights to avoid boarding issues. Middle names are not required and will not cause issues at check-in.
- Timing: Request corrections at least three hours before departure to ensure processing, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins.
- Middle Name Concerns: Middle names are not required to match travel documents, and discrepancies will not cause issues at check-in. Adding, removing, or correcting a middle name is treated as a major correction and incurs a fee unless done via the Contact Centre with legal documentation.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are complex, as Flair typically does not allow name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which can be costly.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Flair or an agent, emphasize this when requesting a correction, as it may qualify for a free change.
- Check Passport Format: For international or transborder travel, ensure the first and last names match the passport’s Roman alphabet spelling exactly, without spaces or special symbols.
- TravelFLEX or Big Bundle: These fare options do not waive name correction fees, but they may allow one free flight change (e.g., date, time, destination), which could be useful if rebooking is needed.
- No-Show Policy: Flair has a strict no-show policy; passengers who miss their flight without cancelling in advance are not eligible for refunds or credits, which may impact rebooking after a name change attempt.
