• 05 Nov, 2024
  • Travel tips

In certain situations, it becomes necessary for the reservation holders to make adjustments to the flight date. Now, it is necessary to understand when an airline permits someone to make changes to the originally scheduled flight date and what conditions are applied. Generally, there are charges imposed for requesting any change in the reservation, and in some situations, a free flight date change might be allowed. The following context includes the answers to most usual queries regarding making changes on a flight, which will help you meet your requirements.

What are the methods of changing the date of a flight?

The methods that can grant you the possibility of changing the date of your reserved seat with your airline are explained below:

By Website

An airline's website offers the option of changing flight dates by retrieving the reserved itinerary with the flight ticket details. The simple procedure to follow for mending the date on the ticket as per your new need is as follows:

  • Head to your airline's page you have reserved your ticket,
  • You must open the "Your Trips/Manage Booking" section,
  • Next, you will be asked to input your booking code and the name,
  • As you click the Search key, your reservation itinerary will appear on the screen,
  • Now, you must look for the Change Flight table to select the Date option,
  • Input your required date and find a suitable flight to book,
  • Further, pay the applied charges and the fare difference to complete the flight date change process.

By Help Desk

Another feasible method for changing the flight ticket date is connecting with the airline's help desk and directly conversing with a live person about the requirements. You must contact a live person and share the ticket details to request the date change. The person will look for the available flights on your desired date and will make the necessary adjustments in a moment.

Can I change my plane ticket date?

The date of a flight ticket can be allowed to change at an airline on the following conditions:

  • The fare type should be flexible to avail the flight date change option with the airline.
  • A change of the date is subject to the availability of the flight and seats.
  • No changes will be allowed once the flight has departed from the scheduled airport. The change window remains open till 40 minutes from the scheduled departure time.
  • The new flight fare may be higher than the previously reserved flight. In that case, the difference amount must be paid to confirm the date change of a ticket.
  • When a flight is delayed at the airline for longer hours, passengers receive the cancellation or flight change option for free as compensation. 
  • If the flight ticket is not purchased via a third party, changes cannot be made directly with the airline.

How can I change my flight date for free?

The conditions that allow you to make changes on the reserved flight date as per the airline's policies are given below:

  • The bookings must have been done in a higher class with the airline that allows free modifications on the ticket.
  • The request for the date change should be made before ending 24 hours from the point of booking.
  • The reserved ticket has been delayed for more than 3 hours, and you are required to schedule the same on another date.

How much does it cost to change the return flight date?

The cost of a return flight date changes significantly depending on the destination. On average, the cost ranges between $25 and $250 for a domestic flight, while the international flight return flight date change fee can go beyond or up to $400. Along with that, you will also have to pay a difference in fare if the originally scheduled return flight fare is lower than the new return flight.

Are airlines allowed to change your flight date?

Yes, an airline can make changes to the flight date at any time. This happens due to major reasons like weather conditions, technical issues, lack of crew members, and many other things. However, when an airline cancels a scheduled flight, it is obligated to offer a full fare refund to all passengers if someone chooses to cancel the flight. Apart from that, passengers can make changes to the date of the flight for free if they find it suitable.