Most major U.S. airlines now offer installment plans, but the terms and fees vary widely
The largest U.S. carriers—American, Delta, United, and Southwest—all let you split ticket costs into monthly payments through third-party financing partners. American and Delta use Affirm; United uses Affirm and Klarna; Southwest uses Affirm. The payment plan is usually offered at checkout as an alternative to paying the full price upfront. You'll see the monthly amount and total interest before you confirm, and the airline gets paid immediately while you pay the lender over time.
Smaller and budget carriers handle this differently. Spirit and Frontier don't offer their own installment plans, but you can use a credit card with a 0% promotional period or a separate personal loan to pay for the ticket. JetBlue offers installment plans through Affirm. Alaska Airlines uses Affirm as well. If an airline doesn't advertise a plan at checkout, calling their customer service won't unlock one—the option either exists in their booking system or it doesn't.
Key Takeaways
- American, Delta, United, and Southwest all offer installment plans through Affirm or Klarna, visible at checkout when you book a flight.
- Monthly payments and total interest are shown before you confirm, and the airline receives full payment immediately while you pay the lender.
- Budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier do not offer airline-branded installment plans, but you can use a credit card or personal loan instead.
- The lender (Affirm, Klarna) runs a credit check, and approval depends on your credit history and income, not just the ticket price.
- Canceling a flight after financing it does not cancel the loan—you must contact the lender separately to stop payments if the airline refunds you.
How airline installment plans work at checkout
When you book a flight on an airline's website or app, the payment method screen shows your options. If the airline offers installment financing, you'll see a button or link for "Pay over time" or the lender's name (Affirm, Klarna). Clicking it takes you to the lender's checkout, where you enter your name, date of birth, email, and phone number. The lender performs a soft credit pull—this does not affect your credit score—and tells you within seconds whether you're approved and what your monthly payment will be.
If approved, you choose how many months to pay: typically 3, 6, or 12 months. Affirm and Klarna show you the monthly amount and any interest or fees upfront. Some plans charge 0% interest if you pay on time; others charge interest that varies based on your creditworthiness. Once you confirm, the lender pays the airline the full ticket price immediately. Your first payment to the lender is usually due 30 days after the purchase, and subsequent payments come out on the same day each month.
Which lenders airlines use and what they approve
Affirm is the most common partner. It works with American, Delta, United, JetBlue, and Alaska. Affirm approves based on your credit history, income, and existing debt. You don't need perfect credit, but you do need a verifiable income and a Social Security number. Affirm typically offers 3, 6, or 12-month plans, with interest rates ranging from 0% to around 30% depending on your profile and the plan length.
Klarna partners with United and a few smaller carriers. Klarna's approval process is similar to Affirm's but sometimes approves people with thinner credit files. Klarna offers 4-week, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month plans. Some Klarna plans charge 0% interest; others charge interest that varies.
Both lenders use a soft credit pull, which does not lower your credit score. However, if you miss a payment, the lender reports it to the credit bureaus and it will damage your score. If you're denied by one lender, you cannot reapply immediately—you'll have to wait or try a different payment method.
Comparing installment plans across the major airlines
| Airline | Lender(s) | Plan lengths | Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | Affirm | 3, 6, 12 months | 0% or variable |
| Delta | Affirm | 3, 6, 12 months | 0% or variable |
| United | Affirm, Klarna | 3, 6, 12 months (Affirm); 4 weeks to 12 months (Klarna) | 0% or variable |
| Southwest | Affirm | 3, 6, 12 months | 0% or variable |
| JetBlue | Affirm | 3, 6, 12 months | 0% or variable |
| Alaska | Affirm | 3, 6, 12 months | 0% or variable |
| Spirit | None | N/A | N/A |
| Frontier | None | N/A | N/A |
The lender and plan lengths are the same across most major carriers because they use the same financing partner. The real difference is in the ticket price: a longer flight or peak-season ticket will have a higher monthly payment, even if the plan length is the same. Always compare the total cost (monthly payment × number of months) to the upfront price to see how much interest you're paying.
When you're comparing plans, look at the total interest charged, not just the monthly payment. A 12-month plan at 0% interest costs less than a 6-month plan at 15% interest, even though the monthly payment is lower. The lender shows you both numbers at checkout, so you can make the comparison before you commit.
What happens if you cancel your flight after financing it
Canceling the flight does not cancel the loan. The airline and the lender are separate transactions. If you cancel and the airline refunds you, that money goes back to the lender, not to you. You still owe the lender the remaining monthly payments unless you contact them and ask to close the account.
If the airline issues a credit instead of a refund (common during the pandemic and for some airline policies), the credit sits in your airline account. The lender still expects payment. You'll need to contact the lender directly—Affirm or Klarna—and explain that the flight was canceled. Some lenders will close the account if you provide proof of the cancellation; others may require you to continue paying or to use the airline credit to book a new flight and transfer the financing to that booking. This is why it's important to read the airline's cancellation policy before you book. If the airline charges a change fee or issues only a credit, you could end up paying interest on a flight you never took.
Alternatives if an airline doesn't offer installment plans
If your airline doesn't partner with Affirm or Klarna, you have other options. A credit card with a 0% promotional period is the simplest: pay the full ticket price now, then pay off the card over the promotional window (typically 6 to 21 months) without interest. This only works if you're approved for the card and the ticket price fits within your credit limit.
A personal loan from a bank or online lender is another route. You borrow a fixed amount, receive the money in your account, and pay it back in monthly installments. Personal loans typically have fixed interest rates and fixed terms, so you know exactly what you'll pay each month. The downside is that you have to be approved and receive the funds before you can book the flight, and the interest rate depends on your credit score.
Some people use a buy now, pay later service like Afterpay or PayPal Pay in 4, which work outside the airline's checkout. You book and pay the airline in full with your debit card or credit card, then use the BNPL service to reimburse yourself over time. This is clunky and adds an extra step, but it works if the airline doesn't offer financing directly.
Fees and interest you should know about
Affirm and Klarna do not charge upfront fees for installment plans. However, they do charge interest on some plans. A 0% plan means you pay no interest as long as you make all payments on time. A variable-rate plan charges interest that depends on your credit profile and the plan length—typically 10% to 30% annually, which translates to a few dollars per month on a $500 ticket.
If you miss a payment, both lenders charge a late fee (usually $10 to $25) and report the miss to the credit bureaus. If you're more than 30 days late, the lender may freeze your account and demand the full remaining balance immediately. This can damage your credit score for years. Some airlines charge a booking fee or convenience fee when you use certain payment methods, but this is separate from the lender's interest. Always check the airline's total price before you commit to a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an installment plan if I'm booking a flight for someone else?
No. The person whose name is on the installment plan must be the passenger on the flight. If you're buying a ticket for a family member or friend, you'll need to use a payment method in your own name (credit card, debit card, or bank transfer), and they can reimburse you separately.
What if I'm denied by Affirm or Klarna?
Denial usually means the lender's soft credit pull flagged a concern—too much existing debt, too low income, or a recent missed payment. You can try a different airline that uses a different lender, or use a credit card or personal loan instead. You cannot reapply to the same lender for at least a few weeks.
Do installment plans work for booking changes or seat upgrades?
It depends on the airline. Some allow you to use installment financing for seat upgrades or baggage fees added after the initial booking; others do not. Check at checkout or call the airline before you make changes.
Can I pay off the installment plan early without a penalty?
Yes. Both Affirm and Klarna allow you to pay off the remaining balance at any time without an early payoff penalty. Paying early does not reduce the interest you've already accrued, but it stops future interest from building.
What if the airline goes bankrupt after I've financed a ticket?
You still owe the lender the full amount you financed, even if the airline fails. The lender has no obligation to refund you. Your only recourse is to file a claim with the airline's bankruptcy trustee or contact your credit card company if you used a card to pay the lender. This is rare but has happened; it's one reason to book with established carriers when possible.