Georgian Airways, the flag carrier of Georgia, 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 generally non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted. Minor corrections for typos and adjustments to personal data are allowed, typically with a fee, and must be requested before check-in begins, at least one hour before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Georgian Airways permits minor corrections to personal data, such as name, surname, date of birth, or passport details, for tickets booked directly through their website, mobile app, or call center. Full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person are not allowed. Changes must be requested before check-in begins, typically one hour before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, and apply to unused tickets for flights operated by Georgian Airways (A9 ticket numbers). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with partners like airBaltic, Air France, or KLM), the operating airline’s policy applies. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source, which may not permit name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking. For international flights, the name must be in Roman alphabet (A-Z) without spaces or special symbols, matching the passport exactly. After any name correction, passengers must re-check in and update their boarding pass.
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, typically up to a few 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, removing, or correcting a middle name to align with the ID or passport. Middle names are optional and typically not required.
- Passport Detail Corrections: Adjustments to passport number or date of birth to match travel documents.
Fees
Minor corrections to personal data (e.g., name, surname, date of birth, passport details) incur a fee, typically in euros, unless the error was made by the airline or its agents. The fee applies to all fare types (Light, Standard, Flexi, Premium Economy, Business) and is charged per correction. 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 made through the call center or airport counters compared to online changes. For third-party bookings, name changes are typically not allowed, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which may incur significant fees or no refund except for airport taxes, depending on the fare type (Light and Standard fares are non-refundable, while Flexi and Business may offer refunds with a cancellation fee). For specific fee details, contact Georgian Airways’ call center.
Process
- Online Changes: Minor corrections can be made through the “My Booking” section on Georgian Airways’ 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 details. Supporting documents may be required for legal name changes.
- Call Center: For legal name changes or corrections requiring assistance, contact Georgian Airways’ call center via phone or email with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents (e.g., passport, marriage certificate). A service fee may apply in addition to the correction fee.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Georgian Airways ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Tbilisi International Airport) at least three hours before international flights or one hour before domestic flights 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, Alternative Airlines), changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may not permit name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
- Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes require official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The corrected name must match the travel document exactly for first and last names; middle names are optional.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted. A new ticket must be purchased, and cancellation fees may apply based on fare rules (Light and Standard fares are non-refundable).
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., airBaltic, KLM), even if booked through Georgian Airways, 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.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Light fares are non-changeable for dates and names, except for minor corrections with a fee. Standard fares allow corrections with a fee, while Flexi, Premium Economy, and Business fares offer more flexibility but may still incur a correction fee.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require cancellation and rebooking.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are typically not eligible for name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which can be costly.
- Other Modifications: Changes to gender or other booking details cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections and legal name changes with valid documentation are free if the error was made by Georgian Airways or its agents (e.g., call center or authorized agents). For bookings made in error, a full refund may be available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly through Georgian Airways for flights at least seven days away, per applicable regulations, allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or non-refundable fares (Light, Standard) after the 24-hour period.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: Use the “My Booking” section on Georgian Airways’ website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference and last name, select the booking, and update the details. Free if the error was made by the airline; otherwise, a fee applies.
- Phone: Contact the call center with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready. A service fee may apply in addition to the correction fee.
- Email: Submit a name change request via email to the call center, providing the booking reference, correction details, and supporting documents.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Georgian Airways ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before international flights or one hour before domestic flights with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents. Highest fees apply.
- Social Media: Reach out via Georgian Airways’ 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. Name changes are typically not allowed, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
Practical Notes
- Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction request. The corrected first and last names must match the passport exactly for international flights to avoid boarding issues. Middle names are optional and typically not required.
- Timing: Request corrections at least one day before departure to ensure processing, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins.
- Middle Name Concerns: Middle names are not required by Georgian Airways, and discrepancies typically do not cause issues at check-in, but third-party booking systems may require them, leading to complications.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are complex, as name changes are often not allowed, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which can be costly. Booking directly with Georgian Airways avoids complications.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Georgian Airways 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 first and last names match the passport’s Roman alphabet spelling exactly, without spaces or special symbols.
- Fare Type Advantage: Flexi, Premium Economy, and Business fares offer more flexibility for changes, though name correction fees may still apply.
- Customer Service Challenges: Some passengers have reported difficulties contacting Georgian Airways’ customer service, so allow extra time for processing and consider multiple contact methods (phone, email, social media).
