Emirates Airlines, a leading global carrier based in Dubai, enforces a 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 generally not permitted, except under specific regulations like the European Council Directive for package travel. Minor corrections for typos and legal name changes are allowed under certain conditions, typically with a fee, and must be requested at least two hours before departure for direct bookings or eight hours for third-party bookings. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Emirates prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Economy, Business, First, and promotional fares, except in cases covered by specific regulations like the European Council Directive for package travel. Minor corrections for spelling errors (up to four characters) and legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted for tickets booked directly through Emirates’ website, mobile app, or Contact Centre, provided changes are requested at least two hours before departure for direct bookings or eight hours for bookings made through travel agents or third-party platforms. The policy applies to unused tickets for flights operated by Emirates (ticket numbers starting with 176). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Qantas, flydubai), 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. It is standard for names to appear joined (e.g., “SMITH/JOHNADAM”) per industry practice. After any name change, passengers must re-check in and update their boarding pass, as seat selections and other services may not transfer to the new Passenger Name Record (PNR).
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, up to four characters (e.g., correcting “Jhon” to “John”).
- Title Amendments: Updating titles (e.g., changing “Mr” to “Ms”).
- Legal Name Changes: Updates due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or deed poll, 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 removing a middle name to align with the ID or passport, or correcting formatting issues.
Fees
Minor corrections (up to four characters) and title amendments are free for tickets booked directly with Emirates (via website, ticket offices, or Contact Centre) if requested within one day of booking for flights at least one day away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. Beyond this period, a name correction fee applies, typically in US dollars or British pounds, varying by market, fare type (Economy, Business, First), and route. For direct bookings, the fee is often lower (e.g., GBP 10 in the UK for direct bookings, GBP 20 for travel agent bookings). In certain markets like the European Union (including Norway), Brazil (if point of origin and sale), and India (if purchased there), corrections may be free, subject to conditions. Legal name changes require supporting documentation and may incur a fee unless processed within the free correction period. 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 or airport counters. For tickets purchased through travel agents, fees vary, and cancellation with rebooking may be required, potentially incurring higher costs. For specific fee details, contact Emirates’ Contact Centre.
Process
- Online Changes: Minor corrections (up to four characters) and title amendments can be made through the “Manage Booking” section on Emirates’ 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 “Name Correction” option. Supporting documents may be required for legal name changes.
- Contact Centre: For legal name changes or corrections requiring assistance, contact Emirates’ Contact Centre 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). Changes via the Contact Centre may incur higher fees than online changes.
- Airport Counter: Visit an Emirates ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Dubai International Airport) at least two hours before departure for direct bookings or eight hours for third-party bookings, with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification. Airport changes incur the highest fees.
- Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party platform (e.g., Expedia, Kayak), 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. The corrected name must match the travel document exactly.
- Skywards Profile: For legal name changes, update the Emirates Skywards profile separately via the website, submitting supporting documentation for verification.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted, except under specific regulations like the European Council Directive for package travel. A new ticket must be purchased for a different traveler, and cancellation fees may apply based on fare rules.
- Skywards Reward Tickets: Name changes are not permitted for tickets purchased with Skywards Miles or Emirates Business Rewards points.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., Qantas, flydubai), even if booked through Emirates, 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, or two hours (direct bookings) or eight hours (third-party bookings) before departure for name changes.
- Character Limit: Minor typo corrections are limited to four characters across the first, middle, or last name.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Non-refundable fares (e.g., Economy Saver) have stricter rules, often requiring cancellation and rebooking with fees. Refundable fares (e.g., Flex, Flex Plus) offer more flexibility but may still incur fees.
- 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 and require separate handling.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (up to four characters) and title amendments are free for tickets booked directly with Emirates if requested within one day of booking for flights at least one day away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. Legal name changes with valid documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree) may be free if processed within this period. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly through Emirates (for flights at least seven days away, per US DOT regulations in the USA), allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or non-refundable fares after the 24-hour period.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: Use the “Manage Booking” section on Emirates’ website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference and last name, select the booking, and update the name via the “Name Correction” option. Free for minor corrections within one day; fees apply for other changes.
- Phone: Contact Emirates’ Contact Centre with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready. Fees may apply, and costs are higher than online changes.
- Email: Submit a name change request form via the website or email the Contact Centre, 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 Emirates ticket counter or check-in desk at least two hours (direct bookings) or eight hours (third-party bookings) before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents. Highest fees apply.
- Social Media: Reach out via Emirates’ 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 direct changes with Emirates are not permitted.
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 two hours (direct bookings) or eight hours (third-party bookings) before departure to ensure processing, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins.
- Middle Name Concerns: For domestic or short-haul flights, missing middle names may be overlooked if the first and last names match, but international travel requires an exact match. Adding or removing a middle name may be treated as a minor correction (up to four characters) or a legal name change with documentation.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are complex, as Emirates requires the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays or additional fees.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Emirates 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. Joined names (e.g., “SMITH/JOHNADAM”) are standard and not an error.
- Skywards Profile: For legal name changes, update the Emirates Skywards profile separately via the website, submitting supporting documentation.
- Special Services: After a name change, reconfirm additional services (e.g., special meals, wheelchairs) via the Contact Centre, as changes may reset these requests.
- European Council Directive: For package travel bookings under the European Council Directive, ticket transfers to another person may be allowed, subject to specific conditions and fees.
