Ryanair change may cost you an extra £160

Travellers who make a critical mistake when flying with Ryanair may face an unexpected fee. If you try to correct the error online, the cost is usually £115 or €115. However, if you booked through a travel agent, the fee can rise to £160 or €160.

This surcharge, aptly termed the 'name change fee,' targets those needing to alter full names on their reservations. It's particularly relevant for those looking to transfer their flight to another person, with the possibility of changing details online up to 24 hours before the flight is due to take off. The airline's information page explains : "Full name changes can be made online up to 24 hours before scheduled departure, or by contacting us or at the airport up to two hours before scheduled departure subject to a fee, see our table of fees.



The fee will be higher if you contact us and changes will be made through our Customer Service Team." Importantly, the fee isn't applicable for those who need to switch from maiden to married names (or vice versa) before flying. Furthermore, Ryanair permits passengers to swap their given and surnames once per passenger, free of charge, within 48 hours after making a reservation.

According to the airline, minor tweaks such as 'three character corrections per name' are also complimentary until 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure. It does not require middle names or second/double-barrelled surnames for bookings. Passengers already checked into their Ryanair flights must reach out to the airline for 'unchecking' before they can adjust their details.

These changes can be easily carried out using the Ryanair app or website. It's vital to note that Ryanair isn't the only airline that implements a name change fee. EasyJet, for instance, allows passengers to correct 'three characters per name' free of charge online, but charges between £60 and £65 for further alterations.

"Title changes and Spelling mistakes, limited to three characters per name, can be done online either via our website or mobile app free of charge," its website explains. "Please ensure the passenger’s full name matches the ID they will be using to travel, including middle names." In contrast, Jet2 issues £40 fees (or local currency equivalent) per name change, per one-way flight within a booking.

For any further name changes, it enforces this administration fee 'plus the difference (if any) in price between your original fare and today’s fare price'. Despite this, the airline adds: "You can correct genuine spelling errors without charge. For spelling errors of up to three letters, you can visit Manage My Booking or contact us .

"If you’ve made a genuine spelling error of four letters or more, you can contact us by phone or email. Please note that free of charge changes to names will only be considered for genuine errors and not for a change of person." Meanwhile, guidance for British Airways customers reads: "If you have changed your name for any reason, including marriage, divorce or by deed poll, the names on your ticket and passport must match in order for you to travel.

"All your other required travel documents must also be in the same name as your flight ticket, including visas and ESTAs. If you need to change your name on an existing ticket to match the name on your passport, you can use our live chat service to talk to one of our agents or contact us . "There's no charge for this type of change, however if the taxes, fees and carrier charges on your ticket have changed since you made the original booking, you’ll need to pay the difference.

You may also need to provide us with proof of your identity to make this change.".