Brussels Airlines, Belgium’s flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, maintains a strict name change policy to comply 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, typically with a fee. 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
Brussels Airlines prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Check & Go, Light & Relax, Flex & Fast, Bizz & Class, and Business. Minor corrections for spelling errors, typically up to three characters, or legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted, provided changes are requested at least one day before departure and before check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. The policy applies to unused tickets issued by Brussels Airlines. For group bookings of ten or more passengers, name changes are allowed under specific conditions. Middle name discrepancies may be overlooked for domestic flights if the first and last names match, but international travel requires an exact match with the passport.
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first 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 deed poll).
- Name Order Errors: Fixing swapped first and last names to match the ID or passport.
- Middle Name Additions: Adding or correcting middle names to align with the ID or passport, if the booking system omitted them.
- Group Bookings: For groups of ten or more, name changes are allowed before ticketing (free) or after ticketing with a fee, provided the request is made at least three days before departure.
Fees
Minor corrections of up to three characters are free if requested within one day of booking, provided the flight is at least seven days away, or if the error was made by Brussels Airlines or its agents. Beyond this period, a service fee applies for individual bookings, typically in euros, though the exact amount varies by fare type and route. For group bookings after ticketing, a higher fee applies per name change, also in euros or Swiss francs, if requested at least three days before departure. Legal name changes with valid documentation may be free at the airline’s discretion, but a fee may apply if rebooking is required. If a correction results in a higher fare class, a fare difference may be charged. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies or airport counters.
Process
- Customer Service: Contact Brussels Airlines’ Service Centre via phone, email, or live chat with the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code), ID, and supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate for legal name changes). Name changes cannot be processed online through the “My Booking” section.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Brussels Airlines ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Brussels 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, which may involve additional fees or delays.
- Group Bookings: For groups of ten or more, contact the group bookings department or travel agency with the booking reference and supporting documents. Changes after ticketing require a fee and must be requested at least three days before departure.
- 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.
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 partner airlines (e.g., Lufthansa, United Airlines), even if booked through Brussels Airlines, are subject to the operating airline’s policy.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
- Character Limit: Free corrections are limited to three characters in the first or last name.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Non-refundable tickets, such as Check & Go, may not allow corrections after the free period, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require a new ticket.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections of up to three characters are free within one day of booking for tickets purchased at least seven days before departure, or if the error was made by Brussels Airlines or its agents. Legal name changes with valid documentation (e.g., marriage certificate) may be free at the airline’s discretion, particularly for fully refundable Business or Flex & Fast tickets. For group bookings, name changes are free before ticketing. Corrections should be requested promptly to avoid fees.
How to Request a Name Change
- Phone: Contact Brussels Airlines’ Service Centre with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready.
- Live Chat: Use the live chat service on the Brussels Airlines website, providing the booking reference and details of the correction.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Brussels Airlines ticket counter or check-in desk with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via Brussels Airlines’ 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.
- Group Bookings: For groups of ten or more, contact the group bookings department or travel agency with the booking reference and supporting documents.
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 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 may be overlooked for domestic flights if the first and last names match, but international travel requires an exact match. Confirm with Brussels Airlines to avoid issues.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties can be complex, as Brussels Airlines may require the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Brussels Airlines 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.
- Group Bookings: For groups, ensure name changes are requested at least three days before departure to allow processing and avoid higher fees.
