Introduction to Name Change/Amendment on Flight Tickets.

What is a Passenger Name Record.

Before discussing name change/amendment on flight ticket, lets discuss its background. In the airline industry, the generic name given to each journey booked on behalf of a passenger by operator or their authorized agents is called PNR (passenger name record). Under Article 13 of the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago, 1944) a country has discretion over the fact it requires regarding any passenger wishing to enter into its territory. A State may require airline carriers to provide passenger name record data to local public authorities for operating flights or flights in transit within it territory.

Guidelines provided by International Air Transport Association almost all of the airlines permit a name change/amendment on flight tickets of up to 3 letters mainly, however, the name amendment policy of each airline varies. 95% of Commercial airline’s do not permit an entire name change or ticket transfer to a different person, however, very few commercial airline and majority low cost airline’s do permit an entire name change to a different person for a small fee.

Importance of correct passenger information.

Name is the most important aspect of the ticket. The name on the ticket should exactly match the name on the passport/travel document; make sure that you do not make a spelling mistake or you can end up losing your ticket. Below are all customer inquiries related to name on the ticket.

Common scenarios requiring name change/amendment.

Name amendment may sound a very simple and permissible task but in reality, in some cases it maybe one of the most complex task of all.

Most of the airlines permit name amendment up to 3 letters for free or a small administrative fee, name change/amendment is permitted in the below scenario.

• When you miss a letter or type it incorrectly.
• Miss a part of name, i.e. miss middle name.
• Amending nickname to first name.
• Amending to a given name where an initial was provided beginning with the same initial as name, i.e. C to Christopher.
• Removing Prefixes, like Dr.
• Legal requirement, like marriage, adoption, divorce which can be verified by matching the date of birth in the new document (passport/travel document or any document issued by the local authorities) and the original document

When flight name change/amendment is not permitted.

The airline will not permit name correction under the below circumstances.

• Code share flight or itinerary which has more than one airline.
• Partially flown booking.
• Change name to a different person.
• Amendment after check-in
• Where a date of birth cannot be verified.

Some of the above points can vary depending on the airline policies as airlines have different name amendment policies.

Understanding Airline policies.

American Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket. 

American Airline has two name change/correction categories:

Minor Name correction: Flights should be operated by American Airline’s and as long as the date of birth and gender information provided initially has not been altered. The name correction can be done free of charge.

Major Name correction: Where flights are code share or not operated by American Airlines and as long as the date of birth and gender information provided initially has not been altered. A special authorisation is required with a small administrative fee.

Note: With American Airline Name correction is not permitted within 24 hours of flight departure.

Name change to a different person is not permitted.

British Airways name change/amendment on flight ticket.

British Airways permit name correction up to 3 letters free of charge with flights operated by British Airways.

Name correction with other airlines is only permitted with BA City Flyer, BA Euro Flyer and Sun-Air of Scandinavia, Aer Lingus prime flights and BA code share with Aer Lingus, American Airlines prime flights (conditions apply) and British Airways code share flights with American Airlines, as well as Iberia flights operated by Iberia, Air Nostrum, Iberia Express and British Airways code share with Iberia.

Name change to different passenger.

British Airways does permit changes to maiden or married name where documents are required as proof.

Passenger without first name or last name on the passport. 

In several parts of the world, it’s customary to have only one name, which can create challenges when completing official forms. If you find yourself in this situation, follow the steps below. 

If your passport includes having only one Given (First) Name and no Family/Last Name, you can still book confidently. When prompted for the “Last name on the passport” of the traveler, enter your Given Name in that field, and put your Title (e.g., “Mrs”, “Mr”) in the “First name on the passport” box. If you have two Given Names and no Last Name, enter both Given Names in the “Last name on the passport” box and your Title in the “First name on the passport” box.

When entering your Advance Passenger Information (passport details, date of birth, place of stay, etc.), put your Given Name in the Last Name box, and type “FNU” (“First Name Unknown”) in the First Name box.

If you have only a Family (Last) Name, when booking your ticket on ba.com, enter your Given Name in the “Last name on the passport” box, and your Title in the “First name on the passport” box. For Advance Passenger Information, place your Given Name in the Last Name box and “FNU” in the First Name box.

If your Family Name/Last Name consists of just one letter, type that letter twice (since ba.com requires a minimum of two letters). When adding your Advance Passenger Information, you can enter just the one letter as it appears on your passport.

Rest assured, airport Security and Border Control teams worldwide are familiar with these variations, and when they check your passport and boarding pass, they will understand the reasons for these entries.

Emirates Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket.

Emirates only allow one name correction per passenger and up to 3 letters can be amended. Below type of name corrections are permitted with Emirates Airline for a small administrative fee.

Misspelling of name:  for example from “Gareth/Dan” to “Gareth/Daniel” can be amended.

Incorrect title:  for example from “Joel/Bryce Mrs” to “Joel/Bryce Mr” can be amended.

Middle name as first name: for example from “John/Wilson Christopher” to “John/Christopher Wilson” can be amended

Maiden name to married name: supporting documents like marriage certificate is required as a proof for this type of name amendment.

Name change to a different passenger is not permitted.

Virgin Atlantic Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket.

Title and middle names are not a mandatory requirement.

Virgin Atlantic allows name correction free of charge within its policy.

Tickets following below policy can be amended free of charge.

Title amendment: Title which changes the gender in the booking can be amended to reflect correct gender. (Mrs Daniel Gareth to Mr Daniel Gareth)

Amendment to the first and middle name:  Virgin Atlantic permits to amend the first and or middle name to reflect the name as per passport, the date of birth and the surname should remain unchanged.

Surname amendment: Up to three letters can be amended, for corrections of more than 3 letters.

Delta Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket.

Amendment to the first and middle name: Delta Airline permits to amend the first and or middle name to match name as per passport.

Amendment to last name: Delta Airline permits to amend up to 3 letters to the last name.

Delta Airline may not permit name correction for below exclusions.

• If the name needs to be corrected the second time.
• Travel is from/to China
• Travel is from/to India
• More than 3 letters amendment is required in the last name.
• If the itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines.
• Name change to a different passenger.

Finnair name change/amendment on flight ticket.

Name change with Finnair.

• Name change is only possible before departure of first flight segment.
• Name change is only permitted with Finnair and Norra operated flights.
• Name change is permitted for a small administrative fee.

Name correction with Finnair.

Finnair permitted name correction as the name on the ticket should exactly match the name on the travel document. 

Finnair name correction Fee Structure.

 source : finnair.com

 

Qatar Airways name change/amendment on flight ticket.

Qatar Airways is one of the worlds best five star airline and it does permit name amendment of upto 3 letters free of charge.

Space and titles are also included in the count.

The total applies as a blend of middle and first name.

Name amendment is permitted once only.

Addition, substraction and change of infant, date of birth and PTC does not include in the count.

 

Qatar Airways does not permit name correction or change under below scenario:

• Any change or amendment to name after check-in.
• Name change to a different passenger.
• If the itinerary includes flight operated by other carrier.
• If the itinerary is partially flown.

Qatar Airways allows name change under below scenario:

Qatar Airways will only allow name change for legal reason, i.e. divorce, from maiden name to married name and adoption where date of birth can be verified from original and new documents (issued by local authorites).

Spirit Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket.

Minor misspelling

Spirit Airlines does permit minor name amendment with up to 3 letters free of charge.

Legal Name change

Name change is only permitted in case of a legal requirement i.e. maiden to married name, divorce degree, court order and legal name change document after verifying relevant documents from the local authorities.

Name Change

Name change to a different passenger is not permitted.

United Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket.

United Airline will allow free name amendment to first, middle and last name if below conditions are met:

• If the flights are operated and marketed by United or United express.
• Only applies to wholly unused ticket(s).
• Name correction is only permitted once per ticket.
• Date of birth should not be altered.

Permitted corrections to First Name and middle name.

Initial to full name (for example, C Wilson to Christopher Wilson)

Add or subtract name or middle initial

Amending nickname (for example, Ben to Benjamin)

Amending incorrect name (for example, James to John)

Misspelled name (for example, Charly to Charlie)

Permitted correction to Last Name.

Double barrel name can be added without amending the original last name (for example, John/Christopher to Wilson John/Christopher).

Name can be amended in reverse order (for example, Shawn/Samson to Samson/Shawn)

Up to 3 letters can be amended if the last name consists of 5 letters or more

Up to 2 letters can be amended if the last name consists of less than 5 letters 

Air India Name change/amendment on flight ticket.

Air India permits name amendment with a small fee which can vary location wise. The name can be amended under below conditions:

Title can be amended i.e. from “Wilson/Christopher MRS to Wilson/Christopher MR”.

First Name only i.e. if the passport only has first name and no surname “Christopher to Christopher/Christopher”.

Spelling mistakes can be amended up to 3 letters, but the first and last alphabet cannot be amended. 

Change in name sequence i.e. from “Christopher/Wilson to Wilson/Christopher”.

Maiden to Married name i.e. from “Wilson/Christina MS to Stephen/Christina MRS”.

Air India does not permit name change to a different passenger.

Lufthansa Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket. 

Lufthansa permits name amendment up to 2 letters for a fee EUR 25 / CHF 25 / USD 25 / CAD 35 (or equivalent in the local currency). 

Legal name amendment

Name can be amended in case of maiden to married name or vice versa, divorce, gender reassignment, new passport or legal proceeding. 

Spelling mistakes

The airline will permit amendment of up to 2 letters in the First, middle, last name or title. 

Nickname

Amendment to nickname is permitted i.e. from “Chris to Christopher”. 

Inverted Sequence

i.e. from “John Christopher/Wilson to Wilson John/Christopher”. 

Name can be amended once per passenger. 

Name change to a different passenger is not permitted. 

Swiss Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket. 

Swiss airline permits name amendment up to 2 letters for a fee EUR 25 / CHF 25 / USD 25 / CAD 35 (or equivalent in the local currency). 

Legal name amendment:

Name can be amended in case of maiden to married name or vice versa, divorce, gender reassignment, new passport or legal proceeding. 

Spelling mistakes

The airline will permit amendment of up to 2 letters in the First, middle, last name or title. 

Nickname Amendment to nickname is permitted i.e. from “Chris to Christopher”. 

Inverted Sequence: i.e. from “John Christopher/Wilson to Wilson John/Christopher”. 

Name can be amended once per passenger. 

Name change to a different passenger is not permitted. 

Austrian Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket. 

Austrian airline permits name amendment up to 2 letters for a fee EUR 25 / CHF 25 / USD 25 / CAD 35 (or equivalent in the local currency). 

Legal name amendment

Name can be amended in case of maiden to married name or vice versa, divorce, gender reassignment, new passport or legal proceeding. 

Spelling mistakes

The airline will permit amendment of up to 2 letters in the First, middle, last name or title. 

Nickname: Amendment to nickname is permitted i.e. from “Chris to Christopher”. 

Inverted Sequence: i.e. from “John Christopher/Wilson to Wilson John/Christopher”. 

Name can be amended once per passenger. 

Name change to a different passenger is not permitted. 

Brussels Airline name change/amendment on flight ticket. 

Brussels airline permits name amendment up to 2 letters for a fee EUR 25 / CHF 25 / USD 25 / CAD 35 (or equivalent in the local currency). 

Legal name amendment

Name can be amended in case of maiden to married name or vice versa, divorce, gender reassignment, new passport or legal proceeding. 

Spelling mistakes

The airline will permit amendment of up to 2 letters in the First, middle, last name or title. 

Nickname: Amendment to nickname is permitted i.e. from “Chris to Christopher”. 

Inverted Sequence: i.e. from “John Christopher/Wilson to Wilson John/Christopher”. 

Name can be amended once per passenger. 

Name change to a different passenger is not permitted. 

Air France name change/amendment on flight ticket

Air France permits name amendment free of charge if the below conditions are met. 

Name amendment applies to same person: 

• Amendment to first and middle name. 
• Names where the first name and last name have been used in reverse order. 
• From maiden to married name and vice versa. 
• Amendment to match the name as per passport. 
• Amendment up to 3 letters is permitted to the last name. 

Name change to different passenger: 

Name change to a different passenger is not permitted. 

Passenger without last name on the passport. 

In several parts of the world, it’s customary to have only one name, which can create challenges when completing official forms. If you find yourself in this situation, follow the steps below. 

• Insert the first name as the last name. 
• Use the code FNU (First Name Unknown) for the first name. 

KLM name change/amendment on flight ticket

KLM permits name amendment free of charge if the below conditions are met. 

Name amendment applies to same person: 

• Amendment to first and middle name. 
• Names where the first name and last name have been used in reverse order. 
• From maiden to married name and vice versa. 
• Amendment to match the name as per passport. 
• Amendment up to 3 letters is permitted to the last name. 

Name change to different passenger: 

Name change to a different passenger is not permitted. 

Passenger without last name on the passport. 

In several parts of the world, it’s customary to have only one name, which can create challenges when completing official forms. If you find yourself in this situation, follow the steps below. 

• Insert the first name as the last name. 
• Use the code FNU (First Name Unknown) for the first name. 

Before Making Changes: Considerations and Preparations

Reviewing Your Ticket Details

Make sure that your ticket requires a name change or amendment, many travelers want to get their middle names added to the ticket, which is not mandatory condition. As long as the first name and surname are on the ticket as per passport or travel document, the middle name is not required, however passengers are encouraged to always get their APIS (passport details) added to their booking by access it in the manage my booking section. 

Timing: When to Make Changes

It is recommended that you get the amendment completed by atleast a week before flight departure, however, get this done no later than 72 hours before flight departure as some airline’s require more than 48 hours to complete name change/amendment.

How to Change or Amend Your Flight Ticket

You can perform minor name amendment in the manage my booking section if you have booked directly with the airline, alternatively, you will need to call airline customer support for name change/amendment on flight ticket.

Your travel agent will have to service the ticket if the booking is made with a travel agent.

Case Studies and Real-Life Experiences 

Success Stories: Smooth Name Changes/Amendments 

Name amendments upto 3 letters and correction from maiden to married name or vice versa are permitted free of charge by 95 percent of the airline and can be done within the sameday of request. 

Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned

Expert Insights and Advice