When booking a flight with Lufthansa, passengers should make sure that the name entered on the reservation matches their passport or government-issued identification. A spelling mistake or incorrect passenger detail can cause difficulties during check-in, identity verification, or boarding.

Understanding the Lufthansa Name Change Policy can help passengers determine whether an incorrect name can be corrected before departure. Lufthansa’s current conditions of carriage state that transportation is provided only to the passenger named on the ticket and that tickets are not transferable.

A name correction for the same passenger is different from transferring a ticket to another person. Certain legal name changes may be permitted when appropriate supporting documents are provided, while a complete passenger substitution is generally not allowed.

This guide explains Lufthansa’s name correction rules, legal name changes, possible fees, ticket transfer restrictions, and how to request a correction.

Can You Change the Name on a Lufthansa Ticket?

Lufthansa distinguishes between correcting the name of the existing passenger and transferring the ticket to another person.

Name Correction

If the passenger remains the same person, Lufthansa may allow an eligible name correction depending on the circumstances and ticket conditions.

Possible situations can include:

Typographical errors.
Spelling mistakes.
Legal name changes.
Name corrections following marriage or divorce.

For legal name changes, Lufthansa’s published tariff rules state that certain completely unused Lufthansa documents may be corrected free of charge when eligible supporting documentation is provided.

Changing the Passenger

A Lufthansa ticket cannot generally be transferred to another traveler. Lufthansa’s current Conditions of Carriage explicitly state that tickets are not transferable.

Therefore, changing the name from one person to a completely different traveler is not the same as correcting a spelling error.

Lufthansa Name Correction Rules

Before requesting a correction, keep these important rules in mind:

The original passenger must remain the traveler.
Lufthansa tickets are non-transferable.
A legal name change may be permitted when supporting documents are provided.
The exact procedure can depend on the ticket and applicable fare rules.
Tickets issued for flights operated by another airline may be subject to that carrier’s conditions.
Name corrections should be requested as early as possible before departure.

Lufthansa’s current conditions also distinguish between Lufthansa-operated flights and flights where another carrier is the actual operating or ticketed carrier, so partner-airline bookings may require additional review.

Minor Name Corrections

If you notice a small spelling or typing error after booking, contact Lufthansa as soon as possible.

Examples can include:

Misspelled first name.
Misspelled surname.
Typographical error.
Incorrectly entered passenger information.

The correction should identify the same passenger rather than create a new traveler.

Lufthansa may ask for identification or other information to verify the passenger before processing a correction.

Lufthansa Legal Name Change Policy

Passengers who have legally changed their name may request a correction to their Lufthansa booking.

Common reasons include:

Marriage
Divorce
Court-ordered name change
Other legally recognized name changes

Lufthansa’s published tariff documentation specifically provides an exception for certain legal name changes on completely unused Lufthansa documents, including examples such as marriage or divorce, when eligible supporting documentation is presented.

Documents may include:

Updated passport.
Government-issued ID.
Marriage certificate.
Divorce decree.
Court order.

The documents should demonstrate that the new name belongs to the same passenger.

Lufthansa Name Change Fee

There is no single name-change fee that applies to every Lufthansa booking.

The applicable cost can depend on:

Ticket type.
Fare conditions.
Type of correction.
Whether the ticket has been used.
Whether the ticket is issued for Lufthansa or another carrier.
Whether a legal name correction is being requested.

For certain Lufthansa group bookings, Lufthansa explicitly states that name changes after ticket issuance can cost EUR 100 per passenger, while eligible legal name corrections can be made without charge. This group-booking rule should not be treated as a universal fee for individual tickets.

For an individual reservation, passengers should check their specific ticket conditions or contact Lufthansa before assuming that a fee applies.

How to Request a Lufthansa Name Correction

Step 1: Review Your Booking

Check your Lufthansa confirmation and compare the passenger name with the passport or government-issued ID.

Step 2: Identify the Error

Determine whether you have:

A simple spelling mistake.
A typing error.
A legal name change.
A different passenger name.

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents

For a legal name change, prepare documents such as:

Passport
Government-issued ID
Marriage certificate
Divorce decree
Court order

Step 4: Contact Lufthansa

Contact the Lufthansa Service Centre or the travel agency that issued your ticket.

Provide:

Booking reference (PNR)
Ticket number
Passenger name
Flight details
Correct name
Supporting documentation, if required

Lufthansa provides customer-service options for name-related requests through its Service Centre.

Step 5: Confirm the Correction

After Lufthansa processes the request, check your updated booking and make sure the passenger information matches your travel document.

Lufthansa Name Correction for Travel Agency Bookings

If you purchased your Lufthansa ticket through a travel agency or third-party booking website, contact the original ticketing agency first.

The agency can review the ticket conditions and coordinate with Lufthansa when necessary.

Lufthansa also directs customers with tickets purchased through travel agencies or third-party portals to contact the agency for certain booking-related requests.

Keep your booking confirmation, ticket number, and identification documents available when requesting a correction.

Can You Transfer a Lufthansa Ticket to Another Person?

No.

Lufthansa’s current Conditions of Carriage state that tickets are not transferable. Lufthansa provides carriage only to the passenger named on the ticket when a confirmed booking exists.

This means you generally cannot change your ticket into another person’s name.

A correction is intended to fix the details of the original passenger, not replace that passenger with somebody else.

What Happens If the Name on My Lufthansa Ticket Is Incorrect?

If your ticket contains an incorrect name, contact Lufthansa as soon as possible.

Lufthansa reserves the right to verify the passenger’s identity, and its Conditions of Carriage state that it may refuse carriage if the passenger cannot verify their identity.

To avoid problems:

Check your ticket immediately after booking.
Compare the name with your passport or ID.
Request corrections well before departure.
Carry the required supporting documents when traveling.

Tips to Avoid Lufthansa Name Correction Problems

Enter your name exactly as shown on your passport or government-issued ID.
Check every passenger’s information before paying for the ticket.
Review your confirmation email immediately after booking.
Contact Lufthansa quickly if you discover an error.
Keep your passport and supporting documents available.
If you booked through an agency, contact the agency for assistance.
Do not assume that a Lufthansa ticket can be transferred to another person.

Conclusion

The Lufthansa Name Change Policy allows eligible passengers to address certain name errors and legal name changes while keeping the original traveler unchanged. Lufthansa’s current Conditions of Carriage make clear that tickets are not transferable, so a ticket generally cannot be changed from one passenger to a completely different person.

For legal name changes such as marriage or divorce, Lufthansa’s published tariff rules provide for certain corrections when the ticket is completely unused and appropriate supporting documentation is provided.

To avoid check-in or boarding problems, passengers should review their booking immediately after purchase and ensure that their passenger information corresponds with their travel documents. If an error is discovered, contact Lufthansa or the original ticketing agency as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I change the name on my Lufthansa ticket?

Lufthansa may allow eligible name corrections for the original passenger, but tickets are generally non-transferable and cannot simply be reassigned to another traveler.

2. Does Lufthansa allow spelling corrections?

Eligible spelling or typing corrections may be possible when the same passenger remains on the reservation. Contact Lufthansa or the ticketing agency to determine the applicable procedure.

3. Can I transfer my Lufthansa ticket to someone else?

No. Lufthansa’s current Conditions of Carriage state that tickets are not transferable.

4. Can I change my name after marriage?

A legal name correction may be possible. Lufthansa’s published tariff rules specifically recognize certain legal name changes, including marriage and divorce, when eligible supporting documents are provided.

5. What documents are required for a legal name change?

Depending on the circumstances, Lufthansa may require an updated passport, government-issued identification, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

6. Does Lufthansa charge a name change fee?

The fee depends on the booking and type of correction. There is no universal fee for every individual Lufthansa ticket. Certain group bookings have a specific EUR 100 post-ticketing name-change fee, while eligible legal corrections can be free.

7. What should I do if I entered the wrong name during booking?

Contact Lufthansa or your original ticketing agency as soon as possible. Provide your booking reference and identification so they can determine whether the name can be corrected.