Air India Name Change Policy

Air India, the flag carrier of India and a member of the Star Alliance, has a strict name change policy to comply with aviation security regulations. Tickets are generally non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted, except in specific cases such as corporate bookings or during a temporary COVID-related policy. Minor corrections for typos or legal name changes are allowed with documentation, subject to restrictions and fees. The name on the ticket must match the passenger’s government-issued ID or passport exactly, including the machine-readable part for international travel. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.

General Rule

Air India tickets are non-transferable, and full name changes to another person are not allowed for individual bookings, except for corporate bookings with specialized fare rules. Minor corrections for spelling errors (up to three characters) or legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted with valid documentation. Changes must be requested at least one day before departure and before check-in begins. The policy applies only to unused tickets issued by Air India. Middle names, if included, should follow the first name with a space, but minor discrepancies may be overlooked if the first and last names match the ID.

Permitted Name Corrections

Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, up to three characters (e.g., correcting “Jonh” to “John”).
Legal Name Changes: Updates due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or other legal reasons, supported by official documents (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
Name Order Errors: Fixing swapped first and last names to match the passport or ID.
Middle Name Issues: Adding, correcting, or omitting a middle name. Middle names are not mandatory, but if included, they should match the ID.
Single Name Issues: For passengers with a single name on their ID (e.g., common in some countries like the UAE), the name should be entered as both first and last name in the booking to match the ID.

Permitted Name Changes

Corporate Bookings: Full name changes are allowed for corporate bookings under Air India’s Corporate Travel Programme, subject to fare rules and availability. A new booking must be made in the new passenger’s name, often with specialized fares.
COVID-Related Exceptions: For domestic flights canceled or disrupted due to COVID restrictions between March and August of a specific year, Air India allowed ticket transfers to another person with extended validity until the end of the following year. This policy is no longer active.

Fees

Minor corrections (up to three characters) are free if the error was made by Air India or its agents, or if requested within a short period after booking for tickets purchased directly through Air India’s website, app, or offices. Legal name changes are free with valid documentation (e.g., marriage certificate). Other corrections may incur a fee, depending on the fare type, route, and timing. For corporate name changes, a fee may apply unless included in the fare rules. If the corrected ticket falls into a higher fare class, a fare difference may apply. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies or ticket offices. Contact Air India for specific fee details.

Process

Online Changes: For tickets booked directly through Air India’s website or app, access the “Manage Booking” section. Enter the booking reference and last name, select the booking, and follow prompts to request a name correction. Supporting documents may need to be submitted separately.
Customer Service: Contact Air India’s customer service via phone, email, or social media (e.g., X or Facebook) with the booking reference, passport, and supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate for legal name changes).
Ticket Office: Visit an Air India ticket office or airport counter in major cities (e.g., Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru) with the ticket, passport, and relevant documents for verification.
Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party platform, changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may involve additional fees or delays.
Corporate Bookings: For corporate name changes, contact Air India’s Corporate Travel Programme team to create a new booking with the same fare conditions.
Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID. Legal name changes need official documents like a marriage certificate or court order. Single-name passengers must provide ID showing the single name format.

Restrictions

No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not allowed for individual bookings, except for corporate bookings or the expired COVID-related exception.
Codeshare/Partner Flights: Name corrections are not permitted for segments operated by other airlines, even if booked through Air India. A new booking in the correct name may be required.
Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not allowed after check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic departures or four hours before international departures.
Character Limit: Corrections are limited to three characters for typos in the first, middle, or last name.
Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per passenger per ticket.
Fare Type Restrictions: Promotional or restricted fare classes may not allow corrections if the flight is fully booked or if specific fare rules apply.
Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Timing: Name correction requests must be processed between specified hours on weekdays and Saturdays, excluding Sundays and public holidays.

Free Correction Period

How to Request a Name Change

Online: Use the “Manage Booking” section on Air India’s website or app for direct bookings. Enter the booking reference, select the booking, and request a correction, submitting documents if required.
Phone: Contact Air India’s customer service with the booking reference and necessary documents ready.
Ticket Office: Visit an Air India ticket office or airport counter with the ticket, passport, and supporting documents, especially in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bengaluru.
Third-Party Bookings: Contact the travel agency or platform where the ticket was booked to initiate the correction process.
Corporate Bookings: Contact the Corporate Travel Programme team for name changes, ensuring the new booking aligns with the original fare conditions.

Practical Notes

Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction request. For legal name changes, ensure documents are ready for submission.
Timing: Request corrections as early as possible, at least one day before departure, to avoid complications, especially for international flights where name mismatches can lead to denied boarding.
Middle Name Concerns: Middle name discrepancies are often overlooked if the first and last names match, but confirm with Air India to avoid issues. Adding a middle name is not mandatory but should follow the first name with a space if included.
Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties can be complex, as Air India may require the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays.
Agent Errors: If the error was made by Air India or an agent, emphasize this when requesting a correction, as it may qualify for a free change.
Check Passport Format: For international travel, ensure the name matches the machine-readable part of the passport, especially for single-name passengers or those with special characters.
Single Name Passengers: For passengers with a single name on their ID, enter the name as both first and last name in the booking to avoid issues.