When booking a flight with British Airways, passengers should make sure that the name on their ticket matches their passport or other required travel documents. A spelling mistake or incorrect name can create problems during check-in, security checks, or boarding.

Understanding the British Airways Name Change Policy can help passengers determine whether an incorrect name can be corrected before departure. British Airways allows many spelling mistakes and name discrepancies to be corrected, particularly when all flights on the ticket are operated by British Airways.

However, correcting the name of the original passenger is different from changing the ticket to another person’s name. British Airways states that flight-only tickets are non-transferable after the applicable 24-hour booking period.

This guide explains British Airways name correction rules, legal name changes, applicable charges, passenger name changes, and how to request a correction.

Can You Change the Name on a British Airways Ticket?

British Airways distinguishes between correcting a passenger’s name and changing the passenger.

Name Correction

If the name on your ticket contains a spelling mistake or does not match your passport, you can contact British Airways to request a correction.

Most spelling mistakes can be corrected over the phone when all flights on the ticket are operated by British Airways. British Airways states that it does not charge for this type of correction, although you may need to pay any difference in taxes, fees, carrier charges, or fuel surcharges if those amounts have changed since the original booking.

Changing the Passenger

A name correction does not allow you to replace the original traveler with another person.

For flight-only bookings, British Airways states that after the applicable 24-hour period, tickets are non-transferable. If you need to change the passenger, you generally need to cancel the original booking and make a new reservation at the current ticket price.

British Airways Name Correction Rules

Before requesting a correction, keep these rules in mind:

• The correction must relate to the original passenger.
• Most spelling mistakes can be corrected.
• The name on the ticket and passport should match.
• Supporting identification may be requested.
• If all flights are operated by British Airways, corrections are generally easier to process.
• Itineraries involving multiple airlines may require additional assistance.
• Travel-agent or third-party bookings must generally be handled by the agency that issued the ticket.

British Airways also states that simply changing the Advance Passenger Information (API) in Manage My Booking does not correct the name on the actual e-ticket.

Minor Name Corrections

British Airways allows eligible passengers to correct genuine spelling mistakes on their tickets.

Examples can include:

• Misspelled first name.
• Misspelled surname.
• Typographical errors.
• Name that does not match the passport.
• Certain changes needed to reflect a legal name.

If all flights on your ticket are operated by British Airways, most spelling corrections can be handled by contacting British Airways by phone.

British Airways Legal Name Change

Passengers may need to update the name on their ticket after a legal name change.

Common examples include:

• Marriage
• Divorce
• Deed poll
• Other legally recognized name changes

British Airways states that if your name has changed, including because of marriage, divorce, or deed poll, the name on your ticket and passport must match before you travel.

You may be asked to provide proof of your identity or supporting documentation.

Possible documents include:

• Updated passport.
• Government-issued ID.
• Marriage certificate.
• Divorce documentation.
• Deed poll or other legal name-change documentation.

British Airways states that there is no charge for this type of name correction, although differences in taxes, fees, and carrier charges may need to be paid.

British Airways Name Change Fee

For a standard name correction on a British Airways flight-only ticket, British Airways states that it does not charge for correcting spelling mistakes when the correction is eligible.

However, if taxes, fees, carrier-imposed charges, or fuel surcharges have changed since the original booking, the difference may be payable.

The situation can be different for British Airways Holidays. British Airways states that a fee applies for a name change on a holiday booking, and customers should contact British Airways Holidays Customer Support for details.

Therefore, passengers should not assume that the same fee rules apply to both flight-only and holiday-package bookings.

How to Request a British Airways Name Correction

Step 1: Check Your Booking

Review your British Airways booking confirmation and compare the passenger’s name with their passport.

Step 2: Identify the Error

Determine whether the issue is:

• A spelling mistake.
• A typographical error.
• A legal name change.
• A completely different passenger.

Step 3: Contact British Airways

If you booked directly with British Airways and the ticket contains an eligible name error, contact British Airways Customer Service.

British Airways may ask you to provide proof of identity before processing the correction.

Step 4: Provide Supporting Documents

If required, provide:

• Passport.
• Government-issued ID.
• Marriage certificate.
• Divorce documentation.
• Deed poll or other relevant documentation.

Step 5: Confirm the Updated Booking

After the correction has been processed, check your booking again and ensure that the passenger name matches the travel document.

British Airways Name Correction for Multiple Airlines

If your itinerary includes flights operated by multiple airlines, the correction process can be more complicated.

British Airways advises passengers with multiple-airline itineraries to contact Customer Services, who can explain the process for updating the passenger name.

The policies of the other operating airlines may also affect whether the correction can be completed.

British Airways Name Change for Travel Agency Bookings

If you purchased your British Airways ticket through a travel agency or online travel website, you should contact the agency directly.

British Airways states that it cannot change tickets issued by travel agents or travel websites.

Keep the following information available:

• Booking reference.
• Ticket number.
• Passenger name.
• Correct name.
• Passport or ID.
• Any applicable legal documentation.

Can You Transfer a British Airways Ticket to Another Person?

Generally, no.British Airways states that after the applicable 24-hour period, flight-only tickets are non-transferable. If you need to change the passenger, you will generally need to cancel the original booking and make a new booking at the current ticket price.

This is different from correcting a spelling mistake or updating the name of the same passenger.

British Airways 24-Hour Name Change Rule

If you booked directly with British Airways and need to change the passenger within 24 hours of booking, British Airways states that you can cancel and receive a full refund, subject to the exclusions listed by the airline.

Some bookings are excluded from this guarantee, including certain bookings where the flight departs within 24 hours of booking and certain package bookings.

After the applicable 24-hour period, flight-only tickets are non-transferable.

Do You Need to Add Your Middle Name?

British Airways states that you do not need to add your middle names when making a booking, as long as your first/given name and last/family name are correct and match your passport.

If your middle name was included but appears joined to your first name on the booking confirmation, this is generally not a problem. British Airways explains that its systems may not display spaces or characters separating names.

What If My Name Has a Missing Hyphen or Apostrophe?

British Airways says that you generally don’t need to take action if your correctly entered name appears without a hyphen or apostrophe.

For example, a name such as Sarah-Jane may appear as Sarahjane on the booking. British Airways states that airport security and passport-control staff are accustomed to these differences in how names are displayed.

Tips to Avoid British Airways Name Correction Problems

• Enter your first and last name exactly as shown on your passport.
• Double-check passenger details before completing your booking.
• Review your ticket immediately after booking.
• Contact British Airways as soon as you discover a genuine spelling mistake.
• Keep your passport available when requesting a correction.
• If your name has legally changed, keep the relevant documentation ready.
• If you booked through a travel agency, contact the agency directly.
• Don’t try to correct the ticket simply by changing Advance Passenger Information.

Conclusion

The British Airways Name Change Policy allows passengers to correct eligible spelling mistakes and update their ticket to match their passport or other required travel documents. For tickets with all flights operated by British Airways, most spelling corrections can be handled through British Airways and are not subject to a name-correction charge, although any increase in taxes, fees, carrier charges, or fuel surcharges may need to be paid.

Passengers should remember that a name correction is not the same as transferring a ticket. British Airways states that flight-only tickets are non-transferable after the applicable 24-hour period. If another person needs to travel, a new booking may be necessary.

For the safest travel experience, check your passenger information immediately after booking and contact British Airways as soon as you notice an error.

Frequently Asked Questions