What travelers know about the Air Canada name change policy

Have you ever booked a flight only to spot a typo in your name on the ticket? It happens more often than you think, and with Air Canada, Canada's flagship carrier that flies to over 200 destinations worldwide and carries millions of passengers each year, getting it fixed is crucial for smooth travel. According to industry insights, name mismatches are a top reason for boarding denials, as airlines must comply with strict security regulations from bodies like the TSA and Transport Canada. In fact, Air Canada emphasizes that your ticket name must exactly match your government-issued ID to avoid hassles at the airport. That's where the Air Canada name change policy comes in handy. In this guide, I will walk you through all the details, from simple corrections to more involved changes, so you can handle any situation with confidence. Whether it's a minor spelling error or a legal name update after marriage, I've got you covered with up-to-date information.

Let's start by clarifying what we're talking about. Air Canada distinguishes between name corrections for errors or legal changes and full name changes to transfer a ticket to someone else. The former is often free and straightforward, while the latter is more restricted and usually involves fees, especially for corporate bookings. Knowing this can save you time and money.

What Falls Under the Air Canada Name Correction Policy

Let’s say you typed “Jon” instead of “John” or need to update your name to match legal documents after marriage, divorce, adoption, or gender transition. Air Canada’s name correction policy applies to fully unused tickets issued on Air Canada stock (ticket numbers starting with 014).

Here’s what you can correct under this policy:

Misspelled first and/or last names
Name updates to match legal travel documents following a legal name change due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or gender transition

A helpful thing to know is that middle name corrections are not required, which makes things easier.

This policy applies to flights marketed and operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express. It may extend to certain codeshare partners if no other airlines (OAL) are involved in the booking, but interline or multi-airline tickets often require different handling (e.g., refund + new booking with possible processing fees).

For legal name changes, Air Canada requires:

A copy of your passport
One supporting document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree/certificate, government-issued legal name change filing, or equivalent (e.g., for adoption or gender transition)

Submit these via email, and keep copies of all supporting documentation, as auditors can request proof at any time.

If you booked your flight with Flightsquest, contact us directly, and if booked through the official website or app, contact customer support as soon as possible. Eligible corrections are processed free of charge, and the ticket is reissued.

If booked through a travel agency, the agency must request the correction via the appropriate channels (e.g., for some GDS bookings, within 72 hours of departure or 3 business days in certain cases).

If your ticket doesn’t qualify for a free correction, you may need to make a new booking with the correct name (subject to availability and fare), pay any fare difference, and request a refund for the original ticket (using waiver codes where applicable). Mishandling can result in debit memos (e.g., $50 CAD/USD + taxes in some cases).

The best advice? Check your name right after booking so small errors can be fixed quickly and easily.

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How to Handle an Air Canada Name Change on a Ticket

If you want to transfer the ticket to a completely different person (full name change), the rules are more restricted. Air Canada allows this primarily on certain fare types, especially for corporate contracted tickets, Air Canada for Business (ACB), and Canadian-based Small and Medium Business (SMB) programs.

For regular/leisure travelers (non-corporate), full name changes are limited or not permitted on many fares, particularly basic or lower ones. They are more commonly allowed on higher fares within Canada, and sometimes to the U.S. or sun destinations (e.g., Mexico excluding Mexico City, Caribbean, Central America) on Latitude or eligible corporate fares.

Here’s how fees usually work (primarily for corporate/contracted tickets; non-corporate options are more restricted):

Latitude/Premium Flexible/Business Flexible fares: Often free for eligible routes (Canada, Canada-U.S./sun destinations).
Flex/Comfort/Premium Economy lowest/Business lowest: $60 CAD/USD for Canada/Canada-U.S./sun destinations on corporate tickets.
Standard: $125 CAD/USD for Canada/Canada-U.S./sun destinations.

The process typically involves:

Create a new reservation in the new traveler’s name (subject to availability and fare)
Reissue/exchange the ticket and pay any applicable name change fee (plus fare difference if higher, change fee if applicable)
Enter waiver code (e.g., CORPNCHNG for corporate) in the endorsement box to avoid debit memos

This must be done on fully unused tickets within the ticket’s validity period (extended in some corporate cases), with restrictions (e.g., new ticket must be Air Canada-marketed/operated only; tour code must match the original corporate/ACB/SMB account).

For corporate travelers (Air Canada for Business or SMB programs), fees depend on the route and original fare: $125 CAD/USD for Canada/Canada-U.S./sun destinations on Standard fares, $60 CAD/USD on Flex/Premium Economy lowest/Business lowest, and free on higher fares like Comfort/Latitude/Premium Flexible/Business Flexible; $250 CAD/USD for international on most fares (higher fares may be refundable).

Keep in mind, full name changes are not allowed on basic fares, partially used tickets, Flight Passes, Aeroplan redemptions, or most bookings involving other airlines. For older tickets or specific contracts, rules may vary.

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Breaking Down Air Canada Name Change Fee

Fees can add up, so let's look at them closely. Under the name correction policy, eligible fixes (misspellings or legal updates for the same person) are complimentary on unused 014 tickets if you follow the rules. For full name changes (to a different person), fees apply primarily to corporate/contracted tickets (Air Canada for Business/ACB/SMB), depending on your fare type and route, and are plus applicable taxes.

Here's a summary of typical name change fees for eligible corporate/contracted tickets (all in CAD/USD plus taxes; non-corporate fares have fewer or no options):

Fare Type	Canada / Canada-U.S. / Sun Destinations	International
Standard / Tango	$125	$250
Flex or Comfort or Premium Economy Lowest or Business Lowest	$60	$250
Latitude / Premium Flexible / Business Flexible	Free	$250 CAD/USD (or refundable if applicable)

These apply to fully unused tickets. If combining a name change with date/route changes, you'll pay both fees plus any fare difference. For older tickets, non-corporate bookings, or specific contracts, fees and processes may differ.

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Special Cases in Air Canada Name Correction

There are a few edge cases worth mentioning. If your passport has no first name or a single-letter surname, Air Canada follows these rules:

Use "FNU" (First Name Unknown) in the given name field (followed by a title if applicable).
Surnames must contain a minimum of two letters (you may double a single letter, e.g., "Y" as "YY"), and given names at least one, per IATA standards and Air Canada requirements for ticket issuance. If other airlines are involved, confirm with them.

Also, if you spot an error right after booking, act fast. Air Canada allows corrections to spelling, dates, routes, or names without penalty if requested before midnight (local time) on the same day of booking (often called the 24-hour rule), with options to pay any fare difference or get a full refund. This is a lifesaver for quick fixes. For group bookings, corrections follow group travel rules, often requiring direct contact.

International travel adds layers, as names must match entry requirements for each country. Always verify at the time of booking to ensure compliance.

Review rules and fees for rescheduling under Air Canada change flight options before modifying your booking.

Navigate Air Canada Name Change Policy with Ease

In short, knowing the rules around Air Canada name change can help you avoid delays and last-minute surprises. The Air Canada name correction policy covers most minor spelling errors and legal updates, often without extra charges. If you need to change the name on the ticket for broader reasons, it’s important to check fare eligibility and timing. Understanding how Air Canada name correction works, along with any applicable Air Canada name change fee, allows you to act quickly and travel with confidence. A quick review of your ticket details after booking can make your entire journey smoother.

Ready to fly? Book your Air Canada tickets through Flightsquest today for hassle-free support and the best deals.

FAQs About Air Canada Name Change Policy

Q1. What is the Air Canada name change policy on flight tickets?

Air Canada allows name corrections for errors or legal updates, while full name changes are limited and fare-dependent.

Q2. Can I correct a spelling error in my name on an Air Canada ticket?

Yes, minor spelling errors on fully unused 014 tickets can usually be corrected for free if the name matches your valid ID.

Q3. Can I change the name entirely on my Air Canada booking?

Yes, but only on certain fares. Full name changes are restricted and often apply to corporate or flexible tickets.

Q4. How much is the Air Canada name change fee?

Fees range from free (for corrections or certain premium/corporate fares) to $250 CAD/USD or more, depending on fare type, route, and whether it’s a correction or full change.

Q5. How soon before departure must I request a name change on Air Canada?

Name changes or corrections must be requested before departure and only on fully unused tickets.

Q6. Does Air Canada allow name changes after marriage or divorce?

Yes, legal name changes are allowed with supporting documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree/certificate, or government-issued legal name change filing.