Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, 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 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 four hours before departure. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Etihad Airways prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Economy, Business, First, and The Residence. Minor corrections for spelling errors (up to three characters), title amendments, and legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted for tickets booked directly through Etihad’s website, mobile app, or Contact Centre, provided changes are requested at least four 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 Etihad Airways (ticket numbers starting with 607). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Virgin Australia, Air France), the operating airline’s policy applies, and the booking may need to be cancelled and rebooked with the correct name in the available booking class, potentially incurring a fare difference. 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, with a maximum of 28 characters per name field. Name corrections are not possible on bookings where tickets have not yet been issued.
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”).
- Title Amendments: Updating titles (e.g., changing “Mr” to “Ms”).
- 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 removing a middle name, or correcting repeated names entered in error, provided it matches the ID or passport.
Fees
Minor corrections (up to three characters) and title amendments are free for tickets purchased directly through Etihad Airways. Legal name changes and other corrections (e.g., middle name adjustments, name order errors, or corrections exceeding three characters) incur a fee, typically US dollars or AU dollars if purchased in Australia, applied per passenger per flight. The fee applies to changes made more than one day after booking or closer to departure, varying by fare type (Economy, Business, First, The Residence) and route. For tickets issued on or after a specific date, a change fee may apply for partially used tickets, with the ticket repriced using historical fares, and a new change fee may apply for further changes. If a correction requires rebooking into a higher fare class, a fare difference may apply, along with applicable taxes. Additional service charges, such as a Guest Service Fee for Economy bookings, may apply for changes through the Contact Centre or airport counters. For specific fee details, contact Etihad’s Contact Centre.
Process
- Contact Centre: Name changes cannot be made directly online through the “Manage your booking” section on Etihad’s website or mobile app. Contact Etihad’s Global Contact Centre via phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code), ID, and supporting documents (e.g., passport, marriage certificate). A form on the website can be filled out to request a name change.
- Airport Counter: Visit an Etihad ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi) at least four 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, Kayak), changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may involve additional fees or delays. If the ticket has been issued, name corrections are subject to Etihad’s policy but processed through the agency.
- Documentation: Minor corrections (up to three characters) and title amendments require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes need official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. For codeshare flights, a copy of the passport and other applicable documents may be required, and the booking may need to be cancelled and rebooked.
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., Virgin Australia, Air France), even if booked through Etihad, require cancellation and rebooking with the correct name in the available booking class, potentially incurring a fare difference.
- 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 four hours before departure for name changes.
- Character Limit: Minor typo corrections are limited to three characters per name (first, middle, or last), and each name field cannot exceed 28 characters.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Non-refundable fares (e.g., Economy Deal) may only allow refunds of government taxes, with stricter change rules. Refundable fares (e.g., Business, First) 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.
- Third-Party Bookings: Name corrections are not possible on bookings where tickets have not yet been issued.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction and may require separate handling.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (up to three characters) and title amendments are free for tickets purchased directly through Etihad Airways at any time before departure. Legal name changes with valid documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree) may be free if requested within one day of booking for flights at least seven days away, or if the error was made by Etihad or its agents. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly through Etihad (for flights booked at least seven days in advance), 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
- Phone: Contact Etihad’s Global Contact Centre with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready.
- 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 Etihad ticket counter or check-in desk at least four hours before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via Etihad’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 direct changes with Etihad 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 four hours before departure to ensure processing, 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 or removing a middle name may be treated as a legal name change, requiring documentation.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are complex, as Etihad requires the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays or additional fees.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Etihad 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, and does not exceed 28 characters per name field.
- Etihad Guest Profile: For legal name changes, update the Etihad Guest profile separately via the website, submitting supporting documentation.
- Special Services: After a name change, reconfirm additional services (e.g., wheelchairs, special meals) via the Contact Centre, as changes may reset these requests.
