Making a mistake while entering your name during an Air Canada booking can create problems at check-in, especially when the name on your ticket does not match your passport or other travel document. Fortunately, Air Canada has procedures for certain name corrections, including misspelled names and changes required to match legal travel documents.
However, a name correction is different from transferring a ticket to another person. Air Canada states that name changes are generally not permitted, while corrections may be processed when a passenger’s name has been misspelled or needs to reflect their legal travel documents.
Air Canada Name Change Policy at a Glance
| Name Issue | What Air Canada Allows |
|---|---|
| Minor spelling mistake | Name correction may be permitted |
| Name does not match legal document | Correction may be permitted |
| Legal name change | May require supporting documents |
| Middle-name correction | Middle-name correction may not be required in certain procedures |
| Changing the passenger to another person | Not treated as a normal name correction |
| Travel-agent booking | Contact the issuing travel agency |
| Codeshare/other-airline itinerary | Additional restrictions may apply |
| Name correction at airport | Airport name changes are generally not processed |
Air Canada’s published name-correction procedures specifically cover misspelled first or last names and situations where the name needs to match legal travel documents.
Can You Change Your Name on an Air Canada Ticket?
Air Canada distinguishes between a name correction and a name change.
A name correction generally means fixing an error in the passenger’s name or making the ticket reflect the passenger’s legal name. Examples can include a spelling mistake or a legal name change resulting from marriage or divorce.
A request to replace the original passenger with another traveler is different. Air Canada’s standard booking policy says name changes are not permitted, while corrections are permitted for misspellings or to reflect legal travel documents.
Therefore, you should not assume that an Air Canada ticket can simply be transferred to another person.
Air Canada Name Correction Policy
If your first or last name was entered incorrectly, Air Canada may be able to correct it depending on the ticket, itinerary, and airlines involved.
Air Canada’s published name-correction policy covers tickets where the passenger’s first or last name is misspelled or needs to match the passenger’s legal travel document.
For example:
- A typographical error in your first name
- A misspelled surname
- A name that needs to reflect your legal travel document
- A legal name change after marriage
- A legal name change after divorce
- Certain other legally documented name changes
The exact procedure can depend on whether the booking contains only Air Canada-operated flights or includes flights operated by other airlines.
Air Canada Name Change After Marriage
If you legally changed your name after marriage, you should contact Air Canada rather than simply creating a new passenger name yourself.
Air Canada’s published name-correction documentation says legal name changes associated with situations such as marriage, divorce, adoption, or gender transition may require supporting documentation. The documentation listed by Air Canada includes a passport and an appropriate legal document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree/certificate, or government-issued legal name-change filing.
Because documentation requirements can vary according to the booking and ticket, contact Air Canada before making changes to your reservation.
Air Canada Name Change After Divorce
A divorce-related legal name change may also qualify for a name correction when the passenger’s legal documents have changed.
Air Canada’s name-correction policy specifically lists divorce among the circumstances in which supporting legal documentation may be required.
You may be asked to provide:
- Passport or other applicable travel document
- Divorce decree or certificate
- Other government-issued legal documentation, when applicable
Keep copies of your supporting documents in case they are requested during the correction process.
Air Canada Name Correction Fee
The fee for an Air Canada name correction can depend on the type of ticket and itinerary.
Air Canada’s published agency name-correction policy identifies a CA/US $50 plus tax Name Change Correction Fee per ticket for certain situations involving flights operated by other airlines, while corrections for certain Air Canada-only itineraries can be complimentary through the applicable process.
Because eligibility and fees can differ according to the itinerary, ticket stock, and participating carriers, you should confirm the applicable fee with Air Canada before requesting the correction.
Do not assume that every Air Canada ticket has the same name-change fee.
Is Air Canada Name Correction Free?
It can be free in certain circumstances.
For tickets containing only Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express flights, Air Canada’s published procedures provide a complimentary correction process for eligible name corrections.
However, when other airlines are included in the itinerary, different procedures and fees may apply.
Your best option is to check the reservation and contact Air Canada before making another booking.
Can I Change My Name on Air Canada After Booking?
It depends on what you mean by “change.”
If you entered a spelling incorrectly, Air Canada may process it as a name correction.
If you legally changed your name, Air Canada may also have a process for updating the name when the appropriate documentation is provided.
But if you want to replace yourself with a completely different passenger, that is not the same as correcting a name. Air Canada’s standard booking policy states that name changes are not permitted, while corrections are allowed for misspellings or to reflect legal travel documents.
Air Canada Name Correction for Misspelled Name
A misspelled first or last name is one of the situations specifically addressed by Air Canada’s name-correction procedures.
If you notice an error, contact Air Canada as soon as possible rather than waiting until the airport.
When contacting Air Canada, keep the following information available:
- Booking reference
- Ticket number
- Correct passenger name
- Passport or travel document, if required
- Details of the error
- Supporting legal document, if the correction is related to a legal name change
Early action can help avoid problems at check-in.
Air Canada Name Correction for Legal Documents
Your airline ticket should contain the passenger information required for travel documentation.
If the name on your ticket does not correctly reflect your legal travel document, Air Canada’s name-correction procedure may apply. The airline’s published policy specifically allows corrections to reflect legal travel documents in eligible cases.
For international travel, it is especially important to check the name against your passport before departure.
How to Request an Air Canada Name Correction
The process depends on how your ticket was booked and which airlines are included in your itinerary.
Step 1: Check Your Ticket
Look at your itinerary receipt and compare the passenger name with your passport or applicable travel document.
Step 2: Identify the Error
Determine whether the problem is:
- A simple spelling mistake
- Incorrect first or last name
- A legal name change
- A different passenger name
This distinction matters because Air Canada treats corrections differently from passenger substitutions.
Step 3: Contact Air Canada
For eligible direct bookings involving Air Canada-operated flights, contact Air Canada for assistance with the correction.
Air Canada’s published procedures indicate that the Contact Centre can process eligible complimentary corrections for certain direct bookings.
Step 4: Provide Supporting Documents
If your correction is related to marriage, divorce, adoption, or another legal name change, you may need to provide supporting documentation.
Step 5: Confirm the Updated Ticket
After the correction has been processed, verify the updated passenger information and ticket details before traveling.
Air Canada Name Correction for Travel Agency Bookings
If you purchased your Air Canada ticket through a travel agency, the process can be different.
Air Canada indicates that tickets issued through a travel agency or another airline may need to be handled through the agency or issuing carrier, depending on the situation.
Therefore, if your ticket was booked through an online travel agency or travel agent, contact the agency first and provide your booking reference and ticket information.
Air Canada Name Correction for Codeshare Flights
Name corrections can become more complicated when your itinerary includes another airline.
Air Canada’s published name-correction policy separates itineraries operated entirely by Air Canada from bookings involving other carriers. For flights marketed or operated by other airlines, additional procedures can apply.
If your itinerary contains a codeshare or partner-airline flight, do not assume that the standard Air Canada-only correction process applies.
Can I Correct My Name at the Airport?
You should not wait until you reach the airport.
Air Canada’s published agency procedures state that name changes are not processed at the airport for the applicable policy.
If you notice a mistake before your trip, contact Air Canada as early as possible.
What Happens If My Air Canada Ticket Has the Wrong Name?
The result depends on the type of error.
For a minor spelling mistake or a correction required to match legal documents, Air Canada may be able to correct the passenger information under its applicable policy.
If you are attempting to replace the original passenger with someone else, the request may not qualify as a name correction.
If the ticket contains an incorrect name, contact Air Canada before check-in rather than waiting until departure day.
Air Canada Name Change Policy for International Flights
International bookings can have additional restrictions, particularly when other airlines are involved.
Air Canada’s published name-change documentation has specific eligibility restrictions for certain name-change procedures, including restrictions on international markets.
For international travel, check your passport and ticket carefully and contact Air Canada if the information does not match.
Important Things to Know Before Requesting a Name Correction
Keep these points in mind:
- Name correction is different from name change.
- A spelling mistake may qualify for correction.
- Legal name changes may require supporting documents.
- Fees can depend on the ticket and itinerary.
- Some Air Canada-only corrections may be complimentary.
- Partner-airline itineraries can have different rules.
- Travel-agent bookings may need to be handled through the issuing agency.
- Do not wait until the airport to resolve a name problem.
- Always verify the corrected ticket before departure.
Final Thoughts
Air Canada’s name policy is primarily designed to correct passenger information, not to freely transfer tickets between travelers. A spelling mistake or a name that needs to match legal travel documents may be correctable, while replacing the original passenger is a different situation.
If you discover an error, contact Air Canada as early as possible, especially when your itinerary includes partner airlines or was purchased through a travel agency. Keep your booking reference, ticket number, passport and any required legal documents ready so the airline can determine the appropriate correction process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Air Canada generally does not permit ordinary name changes, but eligible name corrections may be possible for misspellings or to reflect legal travel documents.
There is no single fee that applies to every booking. Air Canada’s published policy includes a CA/US $50 plus tax correction fee for certain eligible itineraries involving other airlines, while some Air Canada-only corrections can be complimentary.
A passenger substitution is different from correcting a spelling error. Air Canada’s standard policy does not treat an ordinary passenger replacement as a name correction.
Yes, eligible spelling mistakes can generally be handled under Air Canada’s name-correction procedures. The exact process depends on the ticket and itinerary.
A legal name change may qualify for correction, but supporting documents can be required. Air Canada lists marriage documentation among the documents that may be used to support a legal name change.
Yes, a divorce-related legal name change may be handled as a name correction when the applicable supporting documentation is provided.
If the ticket was issued through a travel agency, contact the agency or issuing party first. The applicable process depends on who issued the ticket and the itinerary.
You should resolve the issue before arriving at the airport. Air Canada’s published procedures state that applicable name changes are not processed at the airport.
Depending on the circumstances, Air Canada may request a passport and supporting legal documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree/certificate, or government-issued legal name-change document.