When booking a flight with Finnair, it is important to enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport or other required travel document. A spelling mistake or incorrect passenger name can create problems during check-in or boarding.
The Finnair name change policy distinguishes between correcting a passenger’s name and changing the person travelling. Minor name corrections may be possible, while changing the ticket to a completely different passenger is only permitted for eligible ticket types. Finnair also charges a name change fee when the applicable fare allows a passenger change.
This guide explains Finnair name correction rules, name change fees, legal name changes, ticket transfer rules, and how to request a name correction.
Can You Change the Name on a Finnair Ticket?
Yes, but the type of change matters.
If the passenger remains the same and the name on the ticket does not match the passport, Finnair can process a name correction. Finnair states that name correction is possible for all ticket types when the person travelling does not change. A fee may apply.
If you want to replace the original passenger with another person, the rules are different. A passenger change is only available for ticket types that allow name changes, and the request must be made through Finnair customer service at least one day before departure. A name change fee applies.
Finnair Name Change Rules
Before requesting a name correction or name change, keep the following rules in mind:
- The passenger name should match the passport.
- One first name is sufficient if the passenger has multiple first names.
- Certain characters may appear differently in Finnair’s booking system.
- Minor differences caused by characters such as ä or ö generally do not need correction.
- Name correction is possible when the same person remains the traveller.
- A fee can apply for a name correction.
- Actual passenger changes are only allowed on eligible ticket types.
- Passenger name changes must generally be requested at least one day before departure.
- Classic and Flex tickets allow name changes for a fee when the applicable conditions are met.
- Name changes on Classic and Flex tickets are only permitted when all flights in the itinerary are operated and marketed by Finnair or Norra.
Finnair Name Correction Policy
If you made a typing mistake while booking your flight, you may be able to request a name correction.
Examples can include:
- Misspelled first name
- Misspelled surname
- Typographical error
- Incorrect spelling
- Name that does not correctly match the passport
- Legal surname change when the same passenger is travelling
Finnair confirms that the name on the ticket should match the passport. However, if you have multiple first names, you do not need to add every first name to the reservation. One first name is sufficient.
Do You Need to Correct Ä or Ö?
Not necessarily.
Finnair explains that its booking system may display characters such as ä as a and ö as o. These differences do not require a name correction.
Finnair Name Change After Marriage
If you have legally changed your surname after marriage and your passport has been updated with the new name, the name on your ticket should also be changed.
Finnair allows name correction when the same person continues to travel. However, a name correction fee applies, and passengers should contact Finnair customer service to request the correction.
Depending on the circumstances, passengers may be asked to provide documentation supporting the legal name change.
Possible documents can include:
- Updated passport
- Government-issued identification
- Marriage certificate
- Other legal documentation
The required documentation can depend on the individual case.
Finnair Name Change Fee
Finnair does not use one universal name-change fee for every passenger and itinerary. The fee depends on the country of departure, destination and whether the request is a name correction or an actual name change.
Finnair’s published service-fee tables show separate charges for name corrections and name changes. Additional fare penalties may also apply.
For example, Finnair’s current U.S. service-fee information lists a USD 35 name correction fee. The same page notes that name-change fees depend on the departure country and destination.
For India, Finnair currently lists a name correction fee of INR 1,500 or free online, depending on the applicable process, while name changes on ticket types that allow them are listed at INR 14,000 for short-haul and INR 36,000 for long-haul flights. Additional fare penalties may apply.
Because Finnair’s fees vary by market, passengers should check the service-fee information applicable to their departure country before making a request.
Finnair Name Change Fees by Ticket Type
Finnair’s current ticket-type rules show that name changes are not available on every fare.
| Finnair Ticket Type | Name Change |
|---|---|
| Economy Superlight | Not allowed |
| Economy Light | Not allowed |
| Economy Classic | Allowed for a fee |
| Economy Flex | Allowed for a fee |
| Premium Economy Light | Not allowed |
| Premium Economy Classic | Allowed for a fee |
| Premium Economy Flex | Allowed for a fee |
| Business Light | Not allowed |
| Business Classic | Allowed for a fee |
| Business Flex | Allowed for a fee |
Finnair also states that name changes on Classic and Flex tickets are permitted only when all flights in the itinerary are operated and marketed by Finnair or Norra.
Can You Transfer a Finnair Ticket to Another Person?
A Finnair ticket cannot automatically be transferred to another person.
However, Finnair does allow a change of the person travelling for ticket types that specifically permit name changes. The request must be made through Finnair customer service at least one day before departure, and a name-change fee applies.
Therefore, passengers should check their fare conditions before assuming that a ticket can be transferred to someone else.
Finnair Name Change for Economy Tickets
Economy ticket rules depend on the fare purchased.
Economy Superlight and Economy Light do not allow name changes according to Finnair’s current ticket-type table.
Economy Classic and Economy Flex allow name changes for a fee, subject to the applicable conditions.
If you made only a minor spelling mistake and the same person is travelling, you should contact Finnair for a name correction rather than treating the request as a passenger transfer.
Finnair Name Change for Premium Economy
Finnair Premium Economy Light does not allow name changes.
Premium Economy Classic and Premium Economy Flex allow name changes for a fee, subject to the applicable fare conditions.
Passengers should contact Finnair as soon as they discover an incorrect name on their booking.
Finnair Business Class Name Change
Business Light does not allow a passenger name change.
Business Classic and Business Flex allow name changes for a fee, provided the booking meets Finnair’s conditions.
A name correction for the same passenger is a different process from replacing the passenger with another person.
How to Request a Finnair Name Correction
If your name is incorrect on your Finnair ticket, contact Finnair customer service and explain the problem.
Step 1: Check Your Ticket
Review the passenger name on your booking confirmation.
Compare it carefully with your passport or travel document.
Step 2: Identify the Type of Error
Determine whether you have:
- A spelling mistake
- A typographical error
- Incorrect name order
- A legal name change
- A completely different passenger name
This helps Finnair determine whether the request is a correction or a name change.
Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
For a legal name change, keep the relevant documentation available.
This may include your updated passport or another document confirming the legal name change.
Step 4: Contact Finnair
Contact Finnair customer service and request a name correction or name change.
Finnair recommends contacting customer service when the name on the ticket differs from the passport, and its FAQ states that chat is the easiest and fastest contact method for certain name-change situations.
Step 5: Pay the Applicable Fee
If the correction or name change is subject to a fee, Finnair will advise you of the applicable amount.
Additional fare penalties may apply depending on the ticket and itinerary.
Step 6: Check the Updated Ticket
After the correction or name change has been processed, check the updated booking carefully to make sure the passenger information is correct.
Can You Change a Finnair Name Online?
Not every name correction can be completed online.
Finnair’s published information directs passengers to customer service for name corrections when the ticket name differs from the passport. Actual passenger name changes also need to be requested through customer service.
Therefore, if your booking contains a significant name error, contacting Finnair directly is the safest option.
Finnair Name Correction Before Departure
It is best to request a correction as soon as you notice an error.
For an actual change of the person travelling, Finnair requires the request to be made at least one day before departure for ticket types that permit name changes.
Do not wait until airport check-in if you already know that the passenger name is incorrect.
Finnair Name Change for Codeshare Flights
Name-change eligibility can be restricted when an itinerary contains flights operated by other airlines.
Finnair states that name changes on Classic and Flex tickets are only permitted when all flights in the itinerary are operated and marketed by Finnair or Norra.
If your booking includes another airline, contact Finnair before making any assumptions about name-change eligibility.
Tips to Avoid Finnair Name Change Problems
Follow these tips when booking a Finnair flight:
- Enter your name exactly as shown on your passport.
- Check the spelling before completing payment.
- Review your confirmation immediately after booking.
- Do not worry about every missing first name if you have multiple first names; Finnair says one first name is sufficient.
- Do not request a correction merely because ä or ö appears differently in the booking system.
- Contact Finnair immediately if there is a genuine spelling error.
- Keep your passport and supporting documents available for legal name changes.
- Check whether your fare allows an actual passenger name change.
- Do not assume that a ticket can be transferred to another person.
- Request a passenger change at least one day before departure when permitted.
Conclusion
The Finnair name change policy depends on whether you need a simple name correction or want to change the person travelling.
Minor corrections and legal name updates can be possible when the same passenger remains on the booking. Finnair states that name correction is possible for all ticket types when the traveller does not change, although a fee can apply.
Changing the passenger to another person is more restricted. Current Finnair rules allow name changes for certain Classic and Flex fares, subject to the applicable conditions and fees.
To avoid problems at the airport, make sure the name on your Finnair booking matches your passport and contact Finnair as soon as you notice an error.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, depending on the type of request and ticket. Name correction is possible when the same person remains the traveller. Actual passenger changes are available only on eligible ticket types.
Yes. Finnair allows name corrections when the passenger remains the same. A fee may apply.
Yes, genuine name errors can be corrected by contacting Finnair. The applicable fee depends on the market and booking.
Only if the ticket type allows a name change. Finnair says the request must be made through customer service at least one day before departure, and a name-change fee applies.
The fee depends on the country of departure, destination and ticket type. For example, Finnair currently lists different name-change charges for short-haul and long-haul flights in India.
Not always. The fee depends on the market and method of processing. Finnair’s India service-fee page currently lists name correction as INR 1,500 or free online, depending on the applicable process.
Yes. Finnair states that the passenger name must appear as it does on the passport. However, one first name is enough when a passenger has multiple first names.