Understanding Airline "Change Fees" in 2025

In 2025, airline change fees — the charges imposed when a passenger alters a flight reservation — continue to evolve significantly as carriers balance flexibility and revenue management.

Traditionally a staple of airline ancillary revenue, change fees have been reshaped over recent years, with many major airlines reducing or eliminating them for most fare types. (Alternative Airlines)

Why Change Fees Matter

Change fees are separate from fare differences, which are the additional or reduced cost when the price of a new flight differs from the original ticket. Even when airlines eliminate change penalties, passengers are generally still responsible for paying any fare difference if the new flight costs more. (Alternative Airlines)

Major U.S. Airlines: Flexibility Wins

Several leading U.S. carriers have adjusted their policies to make flight changes less punitive:

• United Airlines: No longer charges change fees on most economy and premium fares, although basic economy fares may still face restrictions or fees. (Alternative Airlines)
• Delta Air Lines: Has also eliminated change fees on many domestic and short-haul international itineraries, excluding its lowest fare classes, with exceptions still tied to fare differences. (Alternative Airlines)
• American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue: Similarly allow free modifications on all but the most restrictive fare types, such as basic economy, though fare differences apply. (Alternative Airlines)
• Southwest Airlines: Stands out for continuing to waive change fees across all fare classes, with passengers only owing any difference in fare or receiving a credit if the price drops. (Invastor)

These shifts towards greater flexibility contrast sharply with the past, when most U.S. carriers routinely charged $75-$200 or more for each change. (Forbes)

Budget and International Carriers: Mixed Policies

Not all airlines follow this trend uniformly:

• Spirit Airlines: Reversed an earlier no-fee policy and reintroduced change fees for its most basic “Go” fares in early 2025, with fees tiered based on how close changes are made to departure. (Travel And Tour World)
• Other low-cost and international carriers may still charge traditional change fees, which can vary widely by route, fare class, and how soon passengers request the change. (FlightsHelpCenter)
• IndiGo: Some airlines occasionally extend temporary fee waivers in response to specific circumstances — for example, IndiGo extended full waivers of change and cancellation fees on flights to and from Srinagar through May 2025. (The Economic Times)

Important Considerations for Travelers

Fare Class Matters

Even airlines that generally waive change fees often exclude the lowest fare categories such as basic economy, which may still have restrictions or penalties. (Alternative Airlines)

International vs. Domestic

International flights originating outside North America may still follow different rules and fee structures, depending on the carrier and local regulations. (FlightsHelpCenter)

Fare Difference Still Applies

Removing a change fee does not eliminate the requirement to pay the fare difference if the replacement flight is more expensive. (Alternative Airlines)

Looking Forward

In 2025, the airline industry reflects a broader trend toward customer-friendly change policies, particularly among U.S. carriers. However, variability remains across fare types and airlines. Travelers should always review fare conditions before booking and consider travel protection or flexible ticket options if plans are likely to change. (Alternative Airlines)