British Airways, a major UK-based airline and member of the Oneworld alliance, has a name change policy that complies 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, often without fees, provided documentation is supplied. The name on the ticket must match the passenger’s government-issued ID or passport. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
British Airways does not permit full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for any fare type. Minor corrections for spelling errors or legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are allowed for tickets booked directly with British Airways, provided changes are requested before check-in begins, typically two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. The policy applies to unused tickets issued by British Airways. If the itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines, the operating airline’s policy may apply, complicating the process. Tickets booked through travel agents or third-party platforms must be amended through the original booking source.
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, typically minor misspellings (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 deed poll).
- Name Order Errors: Fixing swapped first and last names to match the ID or passport.
- Missing or Extra Characters: Adding or correcting characters in the first or last name to align with the ID.
Fees
Most spelling corrections or legal name changes are free for tickets booked directly with British Airways, provided all flights in the itinerary are operated by British Airways and supporting documentation is supplied. However, if taxes, fees, carrier-imposed charges, or fuel surcharges have increased since the booking was made, passengers may need to pay the difference. For British Airways Holidays packages, a name change fee applies, and passengers must contact the Customer Support team. If a correction requires rebooking into a higher fare class, a fare difference may apply. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies or airport counters.
Process
- Online Changes: For tickets booked directly through British Airways’ website or app, access the “Manage My Booking” section. Enter the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code) and last name, select the booking, and contact customer service to request a correction, as name changes cannot be processed online. Upload or send supporting documents (e.g., ID, marriage certificate) as requested.
- Customer Service: Contact British Airways’ Customer Support via phone, live chat, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate for legal name changes).
- Airport Counter: Visit a British Airways ticket counter or check-in desk at the airport 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, as British Airways cannot amend these tickets directly.
- Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes need official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or deed poll.
- Advance Passenger Information: Updating the name in Advance Passenger Information does not correct the ticket; formal changes must be requested through the above channels.
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 for flights operated by other airlines (e.g., American Airlines, Qatar Airways) are subject to the operating airline’s policy, even if booked through British Airways.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
- Avios Bookings: Name changes are not permitted for tickets booked using Executive Club Avios points; cancellation and rebooking may be required.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Non-refundable or promotional fares may have stricter rules, potentially requiring cancellation and rebooking with applicable fees.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections and legal name changes are typically free for tickets booked directly with British Airways if all flights are operated by British Airways and supporting documentation is provided. For bookings made in error (e.g., wrong person), a full refund is available within a twenty-four-hour cooling-off period, provided the booking was made directly with British Airways and the flight is more than twenty-four hours from departure. This allows rebooking with the correct name. Exceptions include bookings made within twenty-four hours of departure, British Airways Holidays packages, and South African domestic services operated by Comair.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: Access the “Manage My Booking” section on British Airways’ website or app for direct bookings, then contact customer service via phone or live chat to request a correction, as online name changes are not available. Provide the booking reference and upload supporting documents as requested.
- Phone: Contact British Airways’ Customer Support with the booking reference and necessary documents ready.
- Live Chat: Use the live chat service on the British Airways website, providing the booking reference and details of the correction.
- Airport Counter: Visit a British Airways ticket counter or check-in desk with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via British Airways’ social media channels (e.g., X, Facebook) 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 or passport exactly.
- Timing: Request corrections as early as possible, ideally well before check-in, to avoid complications, especially for international flights where name mismatches can lead to denied boarding.
- Middle Name Concerns: Minor middle name discrepancies may be overlooked for domestic flights if the first and last names match, but international travel requires an exact match. Confirm with British Airways to avoid issues.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties can be complex, as British Airways cannot amend these tickets directly, potentially causing delays.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by British Airways or an agent, emphasize this when requesting a correction, as it ensures a free change.
- Check Passport Format: For international travel, ensure the name matches the passport exactly to avoid boarding issues.
- Twenty-Four-Hour Cooling-Off: For bookings made in error, use the twenty-four-hour cooling-off period to cancel and rebook with the correct name, provided the booking qualifies.
