El Al Israel Airlines, the national carrier of Israel and a highly secure airline, enforces 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 and legal name changes are allowed under specific conditions, typically with a fee, and must be requested at least three hours before departure. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
El Al prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Lite, Classic, and Flex, as tickets are non-transferable. Minor corrections for spelling errors, typically up to three characters, and legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted for tickets booked directly through El Al’s website, mobile app, or customer service, provided changes are requested at least three hours before departure and before check-in begins, typically one hour before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. The policy applies to unused tickets for flights operated by El Al (OK/064 code). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Alaska Airlines), the operating airline’s policy applies. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source. For international flights, the name must be 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 “SMITH JOHN” to “JOHN SMITH”).
- Middle Name Adjustments: Adding or deleting a middle name to align with the ID or passport, though this may be treated as a legal name change requiring documentation.
Fees
Minor corrections of up to three characters, name order errors, or middle name adjustments are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through El Al and for flights at least seven days away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. Beyond this period, a name correction fee, typically in US dollars, applies, varying by fare type, route, and timing. Legal name changes require supporting documentation and may incur a higher fee, often ranging from a moderate to a higher amount in US dollars, depending on the fare class (e.g., Lite, Classic, or Flex). Flex fare holders may have name change fees waived within a specific time frame. If a correction requires rebooking into a higher fare class, a fare difference may apply, along with applicable taxes. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies, airport counters, or the Contact Centre. For specific fee details, contact El Al’s customer service.
Process
- Online Changes: For minor corrections, use the “Manage My Booking” section on El Al’s website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code) and passenger’s last name, select the booking, and update the name via the edit option. Supporting documents may be required for legal name changes.
- Contact Centre: Contact El Al’s customer service via phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents (e.g., passport, marriage certificate). Response times may vary, and persistence may be needed.
- Airport Counter: Visit an El Al ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv) 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, First Fly Travel), changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may involve additional fees or delays.
- 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.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted. A new ticket must be purchased for a different traveler, and cancellation fees may apply based on fare rules.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., Alaska Airlines), even if booked through El Al, are subject to the operating airline’s policy.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically one hour 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: Lite fares have stricter rules, often requiring cancellation and rebooking with significant fees or no refund except for airport taxes. Classic and Flex fares offer more flexibility.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require cancellation and rebooking.
- 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, name order errors, middle name adjustments) and legal name changes are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through El Al and for flights at least seven days away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly through El Al, allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or Lite fares after the 24-hour period.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: For minor corrections, use the “Manage My Booking” section on El Al’s website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference and last name, select the booking, and update the name via the edit option.
- Phone: Contact El Al’s customer service with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready.
- Email: Email the Contact Centre using the contact form on the El Al website, providing the booking reference, correction details, and supporting documents.
- Live Chat/WhatsApp: Use live chat or WhatsApp on the website or app, providing the booking reference and correction details.
- Airport Counter: Visit an El Al ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via El Al’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.
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 comply with El Al’s stringent security protocols.
- Timing: Request corrections at least three hours before departure to avoid complications, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins.
- 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. Adding a middle name may be treated as a legal name change, requiring documentation.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties are complex, as El Al requires the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays or additional fees.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by El Al 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.
- Security Considerations: Due to El Al’s stringent security measures, including missile defense systems and rigorous passenger screening, name accuracy is critical to avoid boarding issues.
