Does Silver Airways Allow Ticket Name Changes or Transfers?

Booking a flight is one of the most exciting parts of planning a trip, but it also comes with responsibilities choosing the right dates, the right seats, and most importantly, entering the correct passenger details. A small mistake, especially in the spelling of your name, can create big problems later. Many travelers often ask whether airlines allow changes to the name on a ticket or if they can transfer a booking to another person.

This question becomes particularly important when discussing Silver Airways, a U.S. regional airline that once served destinations across Florida, the Bahamas, and parts of the Southeastern United States. Even though the airline shut down operations in June 2025, understanding its stance on name changes and ticket transfers provides helpful insight. More importantly, reviewing these policies gives travelers a clearer picture of how to handle similar situations with other carriers.

In this rewritten and expanded article, we’ll explore whether Silver Airways permitted passengers to change or transfer tickets, how the policies aligned with industry standards, what options existed for correcting errors, and what travelers holding old Silver Airways tickets should do today.

 

1. Understanding the Basics: Why Do Airlines Restrict Name Changes?

Before diving into Silver Airways’ policies, it’s important to understand why airlines worldwide are so strict about names on tickets.

• Security regulations: Airport and TSA security require that the name on the ticket matches the name on the passenger’s government-issued identification exactly. Even small mismatches can trigger red flags.
• Fraud prevention: Airlines prohibit transferring tickets between passengers because it could be exploited for fraudulent resale. If transfers were allowed, scalpers could buy tickets cheaply and resell them at higher prices.
• Revenue protection: By enforcing non-transferability, airlines ensure that passengers who cannot travel either cancel or buy a new ticket instead of giving their ticket to someone else.

Because of these reasons, the aviation industry as a whole maintains very restrictive policies around name changes and transfers. Silver Airways was no exception.

 

2. Silver Airways: A Brief Background

Silver Airways was a U.S. regional carrier headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was well-known for operating small turboprop aircraft like the ATR-42 and ATR-72, connecting smaller cities with larger hubs.

• Primary routes included Florida, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean.
• The airline positioned itself as an affordable option for regional travelers.
• Despite its niche network, Silver Airways faced financial difficulties and ultimately ceased operations in June 2025 after bankruptcy proceedings.

Understanding its former policies is still useful not only for those seeking refunds after the shutdown but also for travelers who want to compare airline rules when booking with other carriers.

 

3. Did Silver Airways Allow Name Changes or Transfers?

The straightforward answer:

• Name Transfers (giving your ticket to someone else): ❌ Not allowed.
• Name Corrections (fixing mistakes on your own ticket): ✅ Allowed in limited cases.

Let’s break this down.

3.1 Name Corrections

Silver Airways permitted small adjustments when the passenger’s name was entered incorrectly during booking. Common examples included:

• Correcting typos (e.g., “Jhon” → “John”).
• Fixing missing letters (e.g., “Smtih” → “Smith”).
• Reversing first and last names if entered in the wrong order.
• Updating from nickname to legal name (e.g., “Bill” → “William”) when supported by ID.
• Adding or removing a middle name or initial.

These corrections ensured that the name on the ticket matched the ID without fundamentally changing who the traveler was.

3.2 Full Name Changes / Ticket Transfers

On the other hand, Silver Airways like nearly every major airline did not allow a ticket to be transferred to another person.

• You could not change “Maria Gomez” to “Anthony Gomez.”
• Tickets could not be sold or reassigned.
• Even close family members could not take over another person’s reservation.

This strict no-transfer rule was in line with industry standards.

 

4. Fees and Conditions for Name Corrections

When the airline was still operating, whether or not you had to pay a fee for a correction depended on timing and type of correction:

• Within 24 hours of booking: Most corrections were free of charge, as long as the original booking was made directly with Silver Airways.
• Minor corrections after 24 hours: A service fee typically between $25 and $50 was often charged.
• Legal name changes (marriage/divorce): Documentation such as a marriage certificate or court order was required. These sometimes-involved fees up to $100.
• Major changes (transfers): Completely disallowed.

 

5. How Passengers Could Correct a Name (When Airline Operated)

When Silver Airways was still flying, here’s how travelers could fix errors:

1. Check confirmation email immediately after booking to spot mistakes.
2. Contact customer service via phone to request a correction.
3. Provide documentation if the correction related to a legal name change.
4. Pay applicable fees if outside the 24-hour grace period.
5. Receive updated e-ticket showing the corrected name.

This process was very similar to the policies at airlines like Delta, JetBlue, and American.

 

6. What Happens Now? Silver Airways Has Shut Down

Since June 2025, Silver Airways has completely ceased operations. This means:

• You can no longer request name corrections.
• You cannot transfer tickets to anyone.
• Existing tickets are worthless for travel they cannot be honored by another airline.

So what should passengers with outstanding Silver Airways reservations do?

6.1 Refund Options

• If you booked with a credit card, immediately contact your bank to request a chargeback.
• If you purchased via a travel agency or third-party website, contact them directly.
• Keep all emails, booking references, and payment records to strengthen your case.

6.2 No Future Transfers

Because the airline is permanently closed, there is no mechanism to change or transfer your booking. The only realistic option is pursuing a refund.

 

7. Comparison: Silver Airways vs. Other Airlines

To give broader perspective, here’s how Silver Airways’ old policies compared with major U.S. carriers:

• Delta Air Lines – Allows small corrections but no transfers.
• American Airlines – Permits up to three character corrections; no transfers.
• JetBlue Airways – Minor corrections permitted; transfers only possible on fully refundable fares.
• Southwest Airlines – More flexible than most; name corrections usually free but still non-transferable.
• Spirit Airlines – Very strict; corrections possible with fees, transfers not allowed.

Clearly, Silver Airways’ rules were consistent with industry norms: corrections yes, transfers no.

 

8. Why You Should Double-Check Names When Booking

Since name errors can be costly and unchangeable, here are some tips for avoiding problems:

1. Always use your full legal name as it appears on your ID or passport.
2. Avoid nicknames or shortened versions.
3. Double-check spelling before clicking “purchase.”
4. Review your confirmation email immediately and call within 24 hours if errors exist.
5. If booking for multiple passengers, verify each name individually.

These steps are especially critical when flying low-cost airlines that enforce stricter change rules.

 

9. Lessons From Silver Airways’ Closure

Even though Silver Airways is gone, its story teaches travelers a few key lessons:

• Airlines can shut down unexpectedly. Always use credit cards when booking for better refund protection.
• Tickets are non-transferable industry-wide. If you can’t travel, don’t expect to give your ticket to someone else.
• Refundable fares offer flexibility. If you’re unsure about your plans, paying a little more for flexibility may save you money later.
• Always act quickly. Whether correcting a name or seeking a refund, timing is everything.

 

10. Final Thoughts

So, does Silver Airways allow ticket name change or transfer?

• Ticket transfers: No. Tickets could not be given or sold to another person.
• Name corrections: Yes, but only for typos or legal name adjustments, often with fees.

Today, since Silver Airways has permanently ceased operations, none of these options are available anymore. If you still hold a Silver Airways ticket, your only course of action is to seek a refund through your credit card provider or travel agency.

Going forward, always remember that name corrections are possible only in narrow circumstances, and transfers are nearly always prohibited. Whether booking with a large airline or a regional carrier, always double-check your details at the time of purchase.

By understanding the restrictions around ticket names, you can save yourself from stress, wasted money, and last-minute airport surprises.