China Eastern Airlines, a major Chinese carrier and SkyTeam member, has a strict name change policy to comply with aviation security regulations, requiring the name on the ticket to match the passenger’s government-issued ID or passport exactly. 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. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
China Eastern Airlines prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Economy, Business, and First Class. 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 before check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. The policy applies to unused tickets issued by China Eastern Airlines. For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Delta, Air France, or Shanghai Airlines), the operating airline’s policy may apply. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source. For international flights, the name must be entered in Roman alphabet (A-Z) without spaces or special symbols, matching the passport exactly.
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 ID or passport (e.g., correcting “WANG CHUN” to “CHUN WANG”).
- Middle Name Adjustments: Adding or deleting a middle name to align with the ID or passport, often without character limitations.
- Pinyin Adjustments: Correcting transliteration errors for Chinese names to match the passport’s Pinyin spelling, as Chinese characters alone are insufficient for verification.
Fees
Minor corrections of up to three characters or middle name adjustments may be free if requested within one day of booking or if the error was made by China Eastern Airlines or its agents. Beyond this period, a name correction fee applies, typically in US dollars or Chinese yuan, varying by fare type, route, and timing. For example, adding a middle initial may incur a small fee, approximately in local currency. Legal name changes with valid documentation may be free at the airline’s discretion, but ticket reissuance may incur a fee and a fare difference if the new ticket falls into a higher fare class. If the entire name is incorrect, cancellation and rebooking may be required, incurring cancellation fees and fare differences. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies or airport counters. For specific fee details, contact China Eastern’s customer service.
Process
- Online Changes: For tickets booked directly through China Eastern’s website or app, minor corrections (e.g., typos, middle name adjustments) can be requested via the “Manage Booking” section with the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code) and supporting documents (e.g., passport). Confirmation is sent to the registered email.
- Customer Service: Contact China Eastern’s customer service via phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents. Response times may vary, and reaching a representative can be challenging.
- Airport Counter: Visit a China Eastern ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao airports) at least three hours before departure with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification.
- Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party platform (e.g., Expedia, Booking.com), changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may involve delays or additional fees. The agency must coordinate with China Eastern, as the airline may not have direct control until the ticket is under airport control, typically one to two 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 court order. For Pinyin corrections, the passport’s Roman alphabet spelling is required.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted. A new ticket must be purchased for a different traveler.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., Delta, Air France), even if booked through China Eastern, 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: Minor typo corrections are limited to three characters in the first, middle, or last name.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Promotional or discounted fares (e.g., Economy Basic) have stricter rules, often requiring cancellation and rebooking with applicable fees.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require a new booking.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (e.g., typos up to three characters, middle name adjustments) are free if requested within one day of booking or if the error was made by China Eastern or its agents. Legal name changes with valid documentation (e.g., marriage certificate) may be free at the airline’s discretion, particularly for Business or First Class tickets. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly with China Eastern and for flights at least seven days away, allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or promotional fares with stricter rules.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: Use the “Manage Booking” section on China Eastern’s website or app for direct bookings, entering the booking reference and uploading supporting documents (e.g., passport, marriage certificate).
- Phone: Contact China Eastern’s customer service with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready. Be prepared for potential long wait times.
- Live Chat/WhatsApp: Access live chat on the website or app, or use WhatsApp, providing the booking reference and correction details. Persistence may be needed to reach a representative.
- Airport Counter: Visit a China Eastern ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via China Eastern’s 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, as China Eastern may not have direct control until one to two days before departure.
Practical Notes
- Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction request. The corrected name must match the passport exactly, especially for international flights, to avoid boarding issues.
- Timing: Request corrections at least three hours before departure to avoid complications, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins. For third-party bookings, allow extra time due to potential delays.
- Middle Name Concerns: For domestic flights, missing middle names may be overlooked if the first and last names match, but international travel requires an exact match. Confirm with China Eastern to avoid issues, as some passengers have reported denials due to missing middle names.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties are complex, as China Eastern may not have control until the ticket is under airport control, typically one to two days before departure, leading to delays or additional fees.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by China Eastern 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’s Roman alphabet spelling exactly, without spaces or special symbols, especially for Chinese names where Pinyin must align with the passport.
- Poor Customer Service: China Eastern’s customer service can be difficult to reach, with long wait times or unresponsive systems. Using multiple channels (e.g., phone, live chat, social media) and persistence may be necessary.
