Yes, you can change your Alaska Airlines flight, but the rules depend on your ticket type and how far ahead you book the change
Alaska Airlines allows you to change your flight through their website, mobile app, or by calling their reservations team. The change itself is free on most tickets — you pay only if your new flight costs more than your original one. However, some basic economy fares and deeply discounted tickets have restrictions that may prevent you from changing at all, or may charge a fee even if the new flight is cheaper.
The easiest path is to log into your Alaska Airlines account, find your booking, and select "Manage My Booking" to see your change options right away. This shows you which flights you can switch to and what you would owe. If you cannot change online, or if you need help, Alaska's phone line is 1-800-252-7522.
Key Takeaways
- Most Alaska Airlines tickets let you change your flight free of charge, but you pay the difference if your new flight costs more.
- Basic economy fares and some promotional tickets may not allow changes, or may charge a fee regardless of price difference.
- You can change your flight online through your account, on the Alaska Airlines app, or by phone at 1-800-252-7522.
- The sooner you change your flight, the more options you usually have; changing close to departure limits available flights.
- If you change to a cheaper flight, Alaska will not refund the difference — you keep it as a credit toward future travel.
How to change your flight online or on the app
Log into your Alaska Airlines account on their website or open the mobile app. Find the booking you want to change and tap or click "Manage My Booking." The system will show you available flights on your original route for the same day or nearby dates. Select the flight you want, review the new departure and arrival times, and confirm the change.
If the new flight costs more, you will see the price difference before you confirm. Pay that amount by credit card or debit card, and your change is complete. Alaska will send you a new confirmation email with your updated flight details and boarding pass. You can change your flight this way up until two hours before your original departure time.
If you do not see a "change flight" option in your account, your ticket type does not allow online changes. In that case, call Alaska Airlines reservations or visit an airport ticket counter.
What ticket types can and cannot be changed
Alaska Airlines offers several fare classes. Main Cabin and First Class tickets allow free changes with no restrictions — you pay only if the new flight costs more. Basic Economy fares do not allow changes at all; if you need to fly on a different date or time, you must cancel and rebook as a new passenger, which may cost significantly more.
Promotional or sale fares sometimes carry change restrictions even if they are not labeled Basic Economy. Check your confirmation email or booking details to see what your specific ticket allows. If you are unsure, call 1-800-252-7522 and have your confirmation number ready — the agent can tell you in seconds whether your ticket is changeable.
If your ticket is non-changeable and you need to fly on a different date, you can cancel it and receive a credit for the full fare amount (minus any change fees Alaska charged when you booked). That credit is good for one year and can be used toward any Alaska Airlines flight for any passenger.
Changing your flight by phone or at the airport
Call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522 to change your flight. Have your confirmation number and the date and time you want to fly ready. The agent will search for available flights and show you the price difference, if any. You can pay by phone with a credit or debit card.
You can also change your flight at an Alaska Airlines ticket counter at the airport, though this is slower than changing online. If you are already at the airport and your flight is within two hours of departure, the counter agent may not be able to change you to a different flight — you may have to rebook for a later date or cancel instead.
What happens if your new flight costs less
If you change to a flight that costs less than your original ticket, Alaska Airlines does not refund the difference in cash. Instead, the difference becomes a credit on your account that you can use to book any future Alaska Airlines flight. The credit is good for one year from the date of your original booking.
You can use this credit for yourself or give it to someone else — Alaska allows you to transfer credits to another passenger. To transfer a credit, log into your account, go to "My Wallet," and select the credit you want to transfer. You will need the other person's name and email address.
Changing your flight close to departure
The closer you get to your departure time, the fewer flights you have to choose from. If you try to change your flight within 24 hours of departure, you may find that most flights are full or that only much later flights are available. Alaska allows changes up until two hours before your scheduled departure time.
If you miss the two-hour window and still need to change, you cannot do it online or by phone. You must go to the airport and speak to a ticket agent. They may be able to put you on a later flight the same day, or they may ask you to rebook for another date. There is no may provide of availability, especially during busy travel times.
Changing your flight for a different date or route
If you want to fly on a completely different date — not just a different time on the same day — the process is the same: log into your account, select "Manage My Booking," and choose a new date from the calendar. Alaska will show you all available flights on your original route for that date.
If you want to change your destination entirely (for example, flying to Portland instead of Seattle), you cannot do that through the "change flight" option. Instead, you must cancel your original booking and make a new reservation. If your original ticket is changeable, you will receive a credit for the full fare; use that credit to book your new flight. If your ticket is non-changeable, you lose the fare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my flight if I already checked in?
Yes, but only if your flight has not yet departed. If you checked in online or at the airport and then realize you need a different time, you can still change through your account or by calling 1-800-252-7522. If your flight has already left the gate, you cannot change it — you would need to book a new flight entirely.
What if I need to change my flight but I do not have my confirmation number?
You can look up your booking on the Alaska Airlines website by entering your last name and email address. Once you find your reservation, you can change it without needing the confirmation number. If you still cannot find it, call 1-800-252-7522 and the agent can search by your name and flight details.
Do I have to change to the same airline if I booked through a travel website?
If you booked through a third-party site like Expedia or Kayak, you may not be able to change your flight directly through Alaska Airlines. Contact the travel website where you booked instead — they handle changes for tickets purchased through their platform. Some travel sites charge their own change fees on top of Alaska's fees.
Can I change my flight if I have a connecting flight?
Yes, but you must change the entire itinerary, not just one leg. If you booked a round trip with a connection, changing your outbound flight may affect your return flight or connection. Use the "Manage My Booking" option to see how changes to one flight affect the rest of your trip before you confirm.
What if there are no flights available on the date I want?
If all flights on your chosen date are full, you can put yourself on a standby list for a flight you want, or you can choose a different date. Standby is free for Alaska Airlines frequent flyer members on certain fares, but not for all passengers. Call 1-800-252-7522 to ask about standby options for your specific ticket.