Can I change my flight booking to a flight operated by a different airline?

Usually not. A ticket is always issued for travel on a specific airline, and that airline's fare rules govern what can be changed. In most cases a change has to stay within the same airline's network.

• Fare rules. Your ticket's conditions determine what changes are allowed. Most low-cost and restrictive fares prohibit moving to another carrier entirely.

• How tickets are issued. When you booked, your ticket was locked in with the particular airline you chose. We can shift you to another flight operated by the same airline, but swapping to a different airline would mean a brand new booking rather than a change.   

• Availability. Any change depends on what the original airline has available on your new dates.

This is the most common exception, and it works in your favour. When an airline disrupts your flight, it will sometimes re-accommodate passengers on another carrier - particularly within an alliance such as Star Alliance, Oneworld or SkyTeam. That decision is the airline's and we will liaise with the original airline on your behalf.

See What happens if the airline changes or cancels my flight?
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Where the airline can't accommodate you — usually after a cancellation or a significant schedule change — we can request a refund from them on your behalf. If it's approved, you're then free to book a new trip with whichever airline you prefer.

This isn't a transfer of your booking; it's a refund followed by a new reservation, so fares and availability at the time will apply and there is the refund timeline to factor in also.
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On most fares, paying more doesn't unlock a switch — the restriction is in the ticket's conditions, not the price. But tell us what you're trying to achieve and we'll check your specific fare and let you know what's actually available, including whether cancelling and rebooking works out better.
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Changing carriers by choice generally isn't possible once a ticket is issued. If flexibility matters for a future trip, choosing a flexible fare at the time of booking gives you far more room to move.