Bahamasair, the national airline of The Bahamas, has a name change policy that aligns with aviation security regulations. Tickets are non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted. Minor corrections for typos or legal name changes are allowed under specific conditions with documentation and fees. The name on the ticket must match the passenger’s government-issued ID or passport exactly. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Bahamasair tickets are non-transferable, and full name changes to another person are not allowed under any circumstances. Minor corrections for spelling errors or legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted at the airline’s discretion, provided they are requested at least forty-eight hours before the scheduled departure. The policy applies to unused tickets issued by Bahamasair. Changes must be made before check-in begins, typically two hours prior to departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. The corrected name must match the ID exactly.
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, such as fixing a few letters (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, birth certificate, or court order).
- Name Order Errors: Fixing swapped first and last names to match the ID.
- Extra or Missing Letters: Adding or removing letters in the first, middle, or last name to align with the ID.
Fees
A name correction fee is typically applied for minor corrections, unless the error was made by Bahamasair or its agents. Legal name changes may also incur a fee, though this can be waived with valid documentation at the airline’s discretion. If the airline cannot process a name correction, a new ticket may need to be issued, subject to a higher fee and any fare difference if the new ticket falls into a higher fare class. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies or at airport counters. Contact Bahamasair for specific fee details.
Process
- Online Changes: For tickets booked directly through Bahamasair’s website, access the “Manage Booking” section. Enter the booking reference (six characters) and last name, select the booking, and request a correction, uploading a copy of the ID or supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate for legal name changes).
- Customer Service: Contact Bahamasair’s Reservations Centre via phone or email with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents. Social media channels may also be used for inquiries.
- Ticket Office: Visit a Bahamasair ticket office or airport counter (e.g., at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau) with the ticket, government-issued ID, 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.
- Documentation: Minor corrections require a valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license). Legal name changes need official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, birth certificate, or court order.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted. A new ticket must be purchased for a different traveler.
- Codeshare/Partner Flights: Name corrections are not allowed for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., American Airlines, JetBlue), even if booked through Bahamasair. The operating airline’s policy applies.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
- Timing: Name corrections must be requested at least forty-eight hours before the scheduled departure.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Non-refundable tickets have stricter rules and may not allow corrections if the flight is fully booked.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth, gender, or other booking details cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections are free if the error was made by Bahamasair or its agents, or within twenty-four hours of booking for tickets purchased at least five days before departure, provided the change does not affect the itinerary. Legal name changes with valid documentation may be free at the airline’s discretion. Corrections must be requested promptly to avoid fees.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: Use the “Manage Booking” section on Bahamasair’s website for direct bookings. Enter the booking reference and last name, select the booking, and request a correction, uploading a copy of the ID or supporting documents.
- Phone: Contact Bahamasair’s Reservations Centre with the booking reference and necessary documents ready.
- Ticket Office: Visit a Bahamasair ticket office or airport counter with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via Bahamasair’s social media channels for assistance, providing the booking reference and documents.
- Third-Party Bookings: Contact the travel agency or platform where the ticket was booked to initiate the correction process.
Practical Notes
- Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction request. The corrected name must match the ID exactly.
- Timing: Request corrections at least forty-eight hours before departure to avoid complications, especially for international flights where name mismatches can lead to denied boarding.
- Middle Name Concerns: Minor middle name discrepancies are often overlooked if the first and last names match, but confirm with Bahamasair to avoid issues.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties can be complex, as Bahamasair may require the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Bahamasair 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 passport exactly to avoid boarding issues.
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Non-refundable tickets have limited flexibility, so verify fare rules before requesting changes.
