Booked the Wrong Flight? Here’s How You Can Cancel or Reschedule Without Paying a Penalty

We’ve all been there — you’re multitasking or in a rush, and before you know it, you’ve booked the wrong flight date, destination, or timing. It’s a frustrating moment, often followed by the dread of cancellation charges or non-refundable tickets. But here’s the good news: most airlines in India offer a grace period where you can cancel or modify your booking without paying a penalty.

Thanks to smarter systems and flexible airline policies, you now have a window of opportunity to fix those honest mistakes — without burning a hole in your pocket. Let’s break down exactly how you can correct your flight booking — whether it’s a cancellation, reschedule, or correction — quickly and smoothly.

Use the 24-Hour Flexibility Window After Booking

Most Indian airlines — including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara, and Akasa — allow passengers to cancel or change their bookings for free within 24 hours of making a reservation.

There’s just one important condition: your scheduled departure must be at least 7 days away from the time of booking.

So, if you accidentally booked a flight to the wrong city or chose the wrong date, log in to the airline’s app or website immediately. Go to the ‘Manage Booking’ section, select your ticket, and cancel it — no penalty will be charged, and you’ll get a full refund.

Alternatively, you can opt for the ‘Change Flight’ option. If the new flight costs more, you’ll only have to pay the fare difference — no extra fees involved.

Correcting Passenger Name, Travel Date, or Flight Time

Mistyped your name? Chose the wrong travel date or flight time? Don’t worry — here’s how most airlines handle that:

Minor spelling errors in names (like 1–2 letters) are generally fixed at no cost if you contact the airline’s customer service.

If you’re switching to a different flight time or travel date, you’ll usually only be charged the fare difference — no rescheduling fees, as long as you’re within the allowed window.

However, once that 24-hour window has passed, penalties may apply, depending on the airline’s change and cancellation policy. So it’s best to make any corrections as soon as possible.

Switch Flights on the Same Day — Without Paying a Fine

Several Indian airlines offer a ‘Same Day Change’ facility. This lets you shift your booking to a different flight on the same day — perfect if your plans suddenly change or you arrive early at the airport and want to catch an earlier flight.

As long as seats are available, you can switch without incurring any penalty. You’ll only pay the difference in fare, if there is any. This service is especially handy when you’re already at the airport or running late for your original flight.

How to Make Changes or Cancellations Online

Making corrections or cancellations is simple and can be done in a few easy steps:

1. Visit the airline’s official website or mobile app

2. Enter your Booking Reference Number (PNR) or ticket details

3. Navigate to ‘Manage Booking’ or ‘Change Flight’

4. Make the necessary changes — be it a new date, time, destination, or name correction

5. Review and confirm your changes

6. If there’s a fare difference, complete the payment

It’s that straightforward. And the sooner you do it, the better your chances of avoiding any extra charges.

Checklist: Key Actions to Avoid Penalties

Review your booking immediately – The earlier you catch errors, the easier and cheaper they are to fix.

Make changes within 24 hours of booking – Most airlines waive cancellation or change fees during this period.

Use the airline’s official website or app for changes – It’s faster, more secure, and avoids third-party complications.

Reach out to customer care if needed – For issues that can’t be resolved online or for special corrections.

If You Booked Through a Travel Portal or Agent

In case you booked your flight via a third-party travel site or a travel agent, make sure to process any changes or cancellations through that same platform. Most third-party sites have their own policies, and modifying bookings through them can involve different procedures and timelines. Always read the fine print before proceeding.

Also, if you’re requesting a refund or submitting a claim, make sure to keep proof like emails, booking confirmations, and SMS notifications. These documents will be helpful in case of disputes or delays.

Mistakes happen — especially when you’re juggling tasks or booking in a hurry. The key is to act fast and know your options. Airlines today offer more flexibility than ever before, giving passengers a chance to correct honest errors without paying heavy penalties.

Whether it’s a wrong destination, date, or a minor name error, you can now handle it without stress — as long as you stick to the 24-hour timeline and follow the correct process. Bookmark this guide for the next time you or someone you know needs to fix a flight booking the smart way.