{"id":127219,"date":"2025-12-28T07:07:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T01:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=127219"},"modified":"2025-12-28T04:08:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T22:38:23","slug":"air-new-zealand-says-name-fix-costs-4000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/28\/air-new-zealand-says-name-fix-costs-4000\/","title":{"rendered":"Air New Zealand Says Name Fix Costs $4,000, Reverses Decision After Media Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AUCKLAND-<\/strong> Air New Zealand (NZ)<\/a> initially refused to correct a minor name error on a codeshare ticket with WestJet (WS)<\/a>, telling passenger Alicia Tomchuk she must cancel her $2,700 non-refundable booking and rebook at around $4,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Stuff contacted the airline on December 15, 2025, Air New Zealand reconsidered, coordinated with WestJet, and corrected the name at no extra cost as a goodwill gesture, saving a long-planned 2026 family reunion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air New Zealand $4,000 Name Change Cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alicia Tomchuk, 38, from Tauranga (TRG), booked return flights directly through the Air New Zealand website on November 1, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She paid $2700 per ticket to bring her two nieces, aged 19 and 21, from Canada for their first visit since she moved to New Zealand a decade ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On December 13, 2025, while arranging travel insurance, Tomchuk noticed one niece\u2019s ticket showed only \u201cTomchuk\u201d instead of the full double-barrelled surname \u201cTomchuk Gassner\u201d listed on the passport. She immediately contacted Air New Zealand expecting a quick correction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air New Zealand directed her to WestJet because the itinerary included a codeshare flight operated by that carrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WestJet responded the same day that the change must be handled by the ticketing airline, Air New Zealand. When Tomchuk returned to Air New Zealand, staff informed her that name changes were not possible on multi-airline bookings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her only options were to cancel the non-refundable ticket with no refund or rebook the same flights at current prices, which had risen to approximately $4000, an increase of about $1300 per ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a full day of calls between the two airlines, Tomchuk contacted Stuff on the night of December 13. \u201cI was told I had to cancel my niece\u2019s flight and rebook. No refund. Close to $3000 down the toilet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am so gutted,\u201d she said. She admitted the oversight was hers but added, \u201cpeople make mistakes. It should be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomchuk had not yet told her nieces. \u201cIt would break their hearts. This has been my absolute dream to bring them out here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t have children so these girls mean so much to me,\u201d she explained, breaking down on the phone. \u201cI\u2019m crushed at the thought of having to pay another $4000. That\u2019s almost double what I paid. I just can\u2019t afford that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER; Photo- Bill Abbott | Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Media Inquiry Prompts Airline Reconsideration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stuff, a New Zealand-based media reached out to Air New Zealand on December 15, 2025. The next day, December 16, the airline told Stuff it would support Tomchuk directly as a gesture of goodwill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It offered her a full refund or placement of the booking value into credit for a new reservation with the correct name, both subject to current fare availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomchuk pushed back, questioning the lack of any visible policy on Air New Zealand\u2019s website restricting name changes for codeshare bookings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is very close to 2026, and to not have a system in a digital world to edit a booking is hard to believe,\u201d she told Stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added, \u201cI appreciate the offer to refund the ticket, but the price increase from $2700 to $4000 is an unfair penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebooking the same seat on the same flight wouldn\u2019t incur additional costs for Air NZ, and it seems this situation primarily benefits them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On December 17, 2025, an Air New Zealand staff member called Tomchuk and confirmed they had contacted WestJet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later that day, she received an email stating: \u201cBoth our Air New Zealand team and the WestJet team were able to correct the name on the ticket. You should have received an updated e-ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: \tG B_NZ | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Air_New_Zealand_A320_ZK-OJC_at_AKL_(27804562754).jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Resolution Required External Pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stuff asked Air New Zealand why the issue was resolved only after media involvement. The airline explained that name corrections are handled on a case-by-case basis and become more complex when another carrier is involved, requiring coordination across systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WestJet confirmed it collaborated with Air New Zealand to make the change and apologised for the inconvenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A WestJet spokesperson stated: \u201cIn this case, where the ticket being issued was on the stock of Air New Zealand, advance changes or updates are best completed by the airline with whom the initial booking was made.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Brisbane Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Passenger Calls for Policy Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tomchuk expressed relief that her niece can now travel on the original ticket and itinerary. However, she remains concerned that many passengers might accept cancellation and lose thousands without challenging the airlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne simple mistake shouldn\u2019t have meant I was on the hook for cancelling a non-refundable ticket and paying an extra $4000,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Stuff<\/a>, Tomchuk added: \u201cI\u2019m very thankful Air New Zealand reconsidered my case, and I hope this example helps change their policies because situations like this could have devastating outcomes for other families and individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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