Japan Airlines Flight Change Policy

Japan Airlines change flight policy has undergone modifications as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’ve already purchased a flight ticket or are planning to buy one, this page will bring you up to speed with all the available options—incl. a few fee waivers you can benefit from.

If Japan Airlines changes or cancels your flight, or if you’re prevented from flying to your destination due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, you’re allowed to postpone your flight (or cancel it) free of charge. 

• Japan Airlines flight change fee waiver due to COVID-19. Japan Airlines’ change fee waiver due to COVID-19 applies to all international flights starting from 131 that depart on/before April 25, 2022, and offers you the following options:
  • If your JAL flight is rescheduled or cancelled, you can change or cancel it free of charge. To qualify for the fee waiver, you must cancel your ticket at least 1 day before departure.
  • If you’re unable to fly because of travel restrictions imposed by your destination city, you can change or cancel your flight ticket free of charge, starting 2 months before departure right up to your departure date. 

• The change fee waivers due to COVID-19 also apply to JMB Award Tickets, and domestic tickets if you’re a non-Japanese resident. However, the fee waivers do not apply to domestic JAL tickets starting with 131-14, 131-875~9, and domestic EMDs starting with 131-553.
  
• If a flight on a domestic route (within Japan) is delayed by more than 30 minutes, diverted, or cancelled, you have the option to:
  • Take the alternative flight offered to you, or 
  • Take a flight that suits you (in some cases), or 
  • Cancel your flight and ask for a refund
    
• If you want to postpone your flight:
  • You can make a one-time change for free by choosing an alternative flight on/before April 27, 2022.
    • On a Japan-Hawaii route
      • You can make changes to a flight ticket between December 24, 2021, and January 10, 2022, as long as the alternative flight is also within the same period.
      • You can make changes to a flight ticket between March 18, 2022, and Mach 31, 2022, as long as the alternative flight is also within the same period.　
    • On other flight routes (except between Japan-Hawaii)
      • You can make changes to a flight ticket between December 24, 2021, and January 5, 2022, as long as the alternative flight is also within the same period.

Notes

• International flight tickets issued between June 11, 2020, and January 31, 2022, can be rebooked free of charge on the first, second, and subsequent sectors as many times as you like during this period. If you’re making changes outside of this period, the first change on the first flight sector is free, and subsequent changes on subsequent sectors can be made free of charge as many times as you like. 
• In the case of Award Tickets (JMB Partner Airlines/oneworld), the new flight itinerary can be within 1 year from the date of issue of the Award Ticket. 
• All flight changes must be within the same booking class and fare type and will be subject to seat availability. 
• If you purchased your ticket through a travel agent, you must contact them directly to process the changes.
  

How to Make Changes to Your Flight Booking
How can I change my ticket on Japan Airlines?

You can make changes to your flight ticket online or by phone. If a free travel waiver applies to your ticket, no change fee will apply to your ticket. If you’re making changes to a JMB Award ticket, your JMB miles will be credited to your account penalty-free. If you purchased your ticket from a third party, you must contact them directly to process the changes. 

If you want to make changes to your ticket, the table below shows you how. 

Japan Airlines Flight Change Policy due to Schedule Changes/Cancellations 

If Japan Airlines changes or cancels your flight schedule, an email will be sent to your registered email address informing you that your flight has been rescheduled/cancelled. After receiving the email, you will only be able to Accept or Decline the changes through the links provided in the email (and not through the website)—or by phone.

Step 1. Select the appropriate URL appearing in the email. 

On the website, select the View reservations/changes and cancellations link appearing under Manage Bookings, as shown in the screenshot below.

Step 2.  Access your flight booking details
Access your flight booking with your JMB membership number or reservation number.

Step 3. Confirm the changes in your reservation

Select one of the options below on the Review Booking Changes page:

• Accept
• Reject (Cannot Accommodate Changes)
• Cancel and Refund 

From the list of reservations that appear on the next page, select the one you want to make changes to.

• If you click on the Accept option
  • …and you’ve already purchased your ticket, obtain your updated e-Ticket from the Reservation Details page. 
  • …and you still have to purchase your ticket, purchase your ticket after going through the purchase deadline on the Reservation Details page.

• If you select Decline (Cannot Accommodate Changes), you will be contacted by Japan Airlines along with alternative flight options.

Note

• You will not be able to view your booking details online if:
  • Your flight reservation includes an upgrade. 
  • You’ve changed your cabin class/flight route.
  • There are any schedule changes within 48 hours of your flight’s departure.
• Japan Airlines will contact you if your ticket must be reissued or in case of any important messages (including at the airport if the information arrives close to your flight’s departure time).
• Eligible tickets include:
  • International JAL tickets starting with 131 that have been delayed or cancelled. 
  • International non-JAL tickets that include a reservation on a cancelled/delayed JAL flight.

Note. If your JAL award ticket was issued by another carrier, you must contact the mileage program of the concerned carrier.

How Flight Changes Are Made 

If your flight has been rescheduled:

• You will be rebooked the next JAL flight with available seats.
• If no JAL flights are available—and in exceptional cases—you may be rebooked on another carrier’s flight.
• You will not have to pay the fare difference if the alternative flight offered to you is costlier. 

Eligibility for Online Flight Changes/Rebooking 

You can make changes and rebook your ticket online through Manage Booking 🡪 Rebook if your original flight ticket meets all the conditions below:

• Your ticket is an e-ticket. 
• You purchased your ticket through the JAL website/mobile app.
• You paid for your ticket by credit card.
• Your ticket’s fare rules permit reservation changes. 
• Your booking has not been upgraded. 
• Your booking does not include a lap infant. 
• You’re making the changes at least 72 hours before your first flight.
  (After your travel commences, you can make changes up to 24 hours before your original flight).
• Your booking does not include a 9B flight number (Deutsche Bahn Rail Services).
• Your booking does not include paid seat services.

How to Change Your Flight Booking by Phone 

If you’re making changes to your flight booking by phone (the local JAL Reservation Center/Office in your city), have your e-ticket/receipt at hand before calling. You will be asked to verify your flight details, i.e., name, reservation/ticket number, flight number, and departure date. After verifying your ticket, the change procedure will be initiated. 

Note. Phone changes are subject to a non-refundable Ticket Service Fee of USD 50/ticket for tickets issued in North America.

Japan Airlines Change Flight Fee—International Sectors

What are Japan Airlines flight change fees for international flights?

Japan Airlines flight changes charges for international flights will depend on your booking class and route, as shown below. 

Japan Airlines Name Change Policy

Am I allowed to change the name on my JAL ticket?

Japan Airlines does not allow name changes on a ticket. However, correction of minor typos such as misspellings may be permitted. If the name on your ticket has been misspelled, you must contact Japan Airlines Reservations at (or the JAL office in your city/country) to have it corrected before you travel. You may be asked to produce a copy of your valid ID, such as a passport or driver’s license. 

It is extremely important to ensure that the name on your ticket is spelled correctly. For security reasons, Japan Airlines will not allow you to board a flight if the name on your ticket does not exactly match the name on your passport/valid legal ID.

If you want to update your name—such as after marriage, divorce, adoption, etc.—you will need to cancel your booking, refund the ticket, and purchase a new ticket. Plus, you will be charged for it.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Japan Airlines Change Flight Policy