Getting your travel details right is one of those small things that can make or break a trip. When flying with a regional carrier like San Juan Airlines—known for its beautiful scenic routes and essential connections between Bellingham, Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands—accuracy is key. If you find a typo or need to update your details, navigating the San Juan Airlines Name Change Policy is relatively straightforward, but it does have specific boundaries you should know before heading to the terminal.

The Core Rule: Identity and Safety

The most important thing to understand about the San Juan Airlines Name Change Policy is that tickets are fundamentally non-transferable. This is a standard practice across the aviation industry, primarily for security reasons. The name on your ticket must match the government-issued photo ID you present at the gate.

Because San Juan Airlines operates smaller, specialized aircraft, they maintain a very close watch on manifest accuracy. While a major international carrier might have a dedicated department for name changes, here, the process is handled with a more personal, hands-on approach by the local ground crew and reservation agents.

Correcting Spelling Errors vs. Full Name Changes

There is a significant difference between fixing a "fat-finger" typo and trying to change the passenger entirely.

Minor Spelling Corrections

If you accidentally typed "Jon" instead of "John" or swapped two letters in your last name, this is usually viewed as a minor correction. In most cases, if the person traveling is clearly the same person intended at the time of booking, the staff can make these adjustments.

• The Process: It is best to handle this as soon as you notice the error.

• The Cost: While minor typos are often handled as a courtesy, always be prepared for a potential administrative fee if the ticket needs to be reissued.

Legal Name Changes

Life happens. If you booked a flight months in advance and have since gotten married, divorced, or had a legal name change, you will need to update your reservation.

• Documentation: You will likely need to provide proof of the change, such as a marriage certificate or a court order.

• Recommendation: Don’t wait until you get to the airport. Regional flights often have tight turnarounds, and resolving a legal name discrepancy on the tarmac can lead to delays.

The 24-Hour Window

Like many carriers, San Juan Airlines offers a bit of a "grace period." If you catch a mistake immediately after booking—within the first 24 hours—the San Juan Airlines Name Change Policy is much more flexible.

In many instances, the easiest way to fix a name within this window is to cancel the reservation entirely (which is often allowed for a full refund within 24 hours of booking) and simply rebook with the correct information. This ensures that the electronic manifest is perfectly updated without any "notes" or "flags" on the reservation.

Fees and Administrative Costs

Transparency is helpful when it comes to travel budgets. While San Juan Airlines is known for its friendly, Pacific Northwest hospitality, they are a business with administrative overhead.

• Standard Change Fees: Changes to scheduled flights generally incur a fee (often around $10 per seat for simple modifications).

• Charter Flights: If you have booked a private charter, the rules are slightly different. Name changes for charters are often more flexible since you are renting the whole plane, but you still need to notify the airline at least 48 hours in advance to ensure the manifest is correct for weight, balance, and security purposes.

• Fare Differences: If a name change requires the original ticket to be canceled and a new one issued, you may be responsible for any difference in the current fare price.

Steps to Request a Name Change

If you realize the name on your confirmation email doesn't match your ID, follow these steps to resolve it quickly:

1. Gather Your Details: Have your reservation number (confirmation code) and the exact spelling of the name as it appears on your ID ready.

2. Call the Reservation Desk: For a regional carrier, a phone call is almost always faster than an email. Speak with an agent at the Bellingham or Anacortes office.

3. Submit Documentation: If the change is due to a legal event, ask for the best email address to send a scan of your documents.

4. Confirm the Update: Once the change is made, ask for a new confirmation email. Check it immediately to ensure the spelling is now 100% correct.

What Happens if You Don't Change the Name?

It might be tempting to think, "It’s just a small plane; they won't mind." However, San Juan Airlines must comply with FAA and TSA regulations.

If you show up at the gate with an ID that doesn't match your ticket:

• You may be denied boarding.

• You might be forced to purchase a new, last-minute ticket at the highest current fare.

• You could face delays that cause you to miss your flight entirely, as smaller planes cannot wait for paperwork disputes.

Helpful Tips for Future Bookings

To avoid the hassle of the San Juan Airlines Name Change Policy altogether, a little bit of prep goes a long way:

• Double-Check the "Review" Page: Before hitting the "Pay" button, look at every letter of the passenger names.

• Avoid Nicknames: Even if everyone calls you "Skip," use "Robert" if that is what’s on your driver's license.

• Be Mindful of Suffixes: If you are a "Jr." or "III," include that if it's on your official identification.

San Juan Airlines provides an incredible service to some of the most beautiful spots in Washington State. By ensuring your paperwork is in order before you arrive, you can focus on the view out the window rather than the details on your ticket.