Overview
Thai Airways International, the flag carrier of Thailand, allows minor name corrections on tickets for spelling errors or legal name changes but does not permit full name changes to transfer tickets to another person. The policy ensures the name on the ticket matches the traveler’s passport or government-issued ID for security and compliance purposes, as mandated by aviation regulations.
Key Policy Details
- Minor name corrections, such as fixing spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, are permitted, typically up to a few characters, and are free if requested within a short period after booking, usually a day, for tickets purchased directly through Thai Airways’ website or app.
- Corrections for legal name changes, such as those due to marriage, divorce, or adoption, are allowed with supporting documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
- Full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person are not permitted, except for changes from a passenger’s name to a company name on tax invoices or cash receipts. The original booking must be canceled, and a new ticket purchased, subject to availability, fare conditions, and cancellation fees.
- Name corrections are only permitted for Thai Airways-operated flights and not for codeshare flights or flights operated by partner airlines, such as THAI Smile, unless specified in the booking agreement.
- Bookings made through travel agents or third-party platforms must have name corrections processed through the original booking provider, not directly with Thai Airways.
- The name on the ticket must exactly match the traveler’s passport or government-issued ID, without abbreviations or special characters, to avoid delays or denied boarding. Middle names are optional but, if included in the passport, should be added to the ticket to prevent issues, particularly for international flights.
- Name corrections are not permitted after check-in or once the journey has commenced.
How to Make Name Corrections
Name corrections can be made through the following methods:
- Customer Service: Contact Thai Airways customer support via phone, email, or live chat, provide the booking reference and passenger details, request the correction, and submit necessary documents, such as a passport or ID. Fees may apply, and a confirmation email with the updated ticket will be sent upon completion.
- In-Person: Visit a Thai Airways ticket office or airport counter, provide the booking reference and identification documents, and request the correction. Fees may apply, and a confirmation email will be sent.
- Travel Agency: For bookings made through a travel agency, contact the agency directly to request the correction, provide required documents, and pay any applicable fees. The agency will coordinate with Thai Airways.
Important Notes
- Name corrections must be requested before check-in, ideally as soon as the error is noticed, to avoid complications or denied boarding.
- Fees for name corrections vary by fare type, route, and timing. Minor corrections within the initial grace period are typically free, but other corrections may incur a fee, potentially up to a significant amount, depending on the circumstances.
- Passengers should ensure the name matches their passport or ID exactly, omitting special characters or abbreviations, to comply with security regulations, especially for international flights.
- For legal name changes, original or certified copies of supporting documents must be provided for verification.
- Passengers with bookings through third-party platforms should contact their booking agent, as Thai Airways may not process changes directly for such reservations.
- Middle names are generally not required, but discrepancies between the ticket and passport could cause issues at check-in or immigration, particularly for domestic flights in Thailand or certain international routes.
