Name wrong on your flight ticket? Here's how to fix it
A wrong name on a ticket is usually fixable — but what you can do depends on how wrong it is and which airline you're flying. A small spelling slip (a "correction") is normally allowed and cheap or free. Putting a different person on the ticket (a "name change") is a different thing, and most airlines don't allow it. Here's how to tell which one you have, what it costs, the deadline, and how to fix it before it causes trouble at the airport.
Quick answer
- Small typo, 1–3 letters, wrong order, or a missing middle name → usually a correction. Often free or a small fee.
- A different passenger → usually a name change, which isn't allowed. You'll generally need a new ticket.
- Your ticket name must match the photo ID / passport you travel on.
- Do it before check-in — a mismatched name can be refused at the airport.
- Rules differ by airline — see the table below.
- Not sure, or short on time? We can connect you with an independent travel specialist.
Short on time, or not sure which type you have? We'll connect you with a licensed independent travel specialist who can look at your exact ticket and sort it. See how →
Correction vs change — the real difference
This is the key to everything, so get it clear first.
A name correction fixes a mistake while keeping the same traveler: a spelling typo ("Jon" for "John"), first and last name in the wrong order, a missing or extra middle name, or a maiden name that should now be a married name. Most airlines allow this — often up to about three characters — frequently for free or a small fee. Bigger errors can still be fixed but may need a document or a ticket reissue.
A name change puts a different person on the ticket — for example, giving your seat to a friend. Airlines almost never allow this. An airline ticket is tied to one named passenger; a different traveler normally means a new booking, not a correction.
Why it matters: at the airport your boarding pass name must match the government ID you show (for US flights the TSA checks name, date of birth and gender against your ID). A mismatch can mean you're turned away — so a "small" typo is worth fixing early.
What a correction usually costs
Many airlines fix a minor spelling error for free or for a small service fee. A larger correction may need a reissue, which can add a fee and sometimes a fare difference. Very cheap, restricted fares can have tighter rules — check your fare conditions. Exact fees vary by airline and fare, so confirm for your ticket before you rely on a number.
The deadline — fix it before check-in
The earlier the better. Within 24 hours of booking is usually the easiest window. Well before departure leaves time for a reissue if one is needed. At the airport it's risky — staff may not be able to fix it in time, and you could be refused. Don't wait: a five-minute fix today beats a missed flight later.
Documents you may need
Your passport or government ID showing the correct spelling, and for a surname change a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or deed poll. Have these ready when you contact whoever issued your ticket — it speeds things up.
How to fix it — and who to contact
This is the part most people get wrong. You can only have the correction made by whoever issued the ticket:
- Booked directly with the airline (website, app, phone) → contact the airline. They own the ticket.
- Booked with a travel agent or us → the agent/issuer makes the correction.
- Booked with an online travel agency (Expedia, Booking.com…) → that OTA has to make the change. The airline usually won't touch a ticket an agency issued.
Name-correction rules by airline
| Airline | Minor spelling fix | Order / middle name | Different person | Fee | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Allowed (minor) | Allowed | New ticket | Varies by fare | Before check-in |
| American | Allowed | Allowed | New ticket | Varies by fare | Before departure |
| Air Canada | Allowed (~3 chars) | Allowed | Not allowed | Varies by fare | Before departure |
| United | Allowed (1–3 chars) | Allowed | Not allowed | Varies by fare | Before departure |
| Turkish | Allowed (minor) | Allowed | Not allowed | Varies by fare | Before departure |
| Qatar Airways | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed | Varies by fare | Before departure |
| IndiGo | Allowed (spelling) | Allowed | Not allowed | Varies by fare | Before departure |
| LATAM | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed | Varies by fare | Before departure |
Full guides for specific airlines
For step-by-step help on how a particular airline handles name corrections — what counts as a correction, documents, deadlines, and how to request it:
Before anything else — where did you book?
With a travel agent / us → they can process the correction on your ticket.
Airline website or app → the airline must do it. We'll tell you exactly how, or deal with them alongside you.
An OTA (Expedia, Booking.com…) → the OTA that issued the ticket has to change it. We can guide you, or find and book you a better option if it genuinely can't be fixed.
We'll never pretend to reach into an airline's system for a ticket we didn't issue. If we can't fix it directly, we'll say so — and still help you find the fastest way through.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a name correction and a name change on American Airlines?
A correction fixes a spelling error for the same passenger (allowed). A change to a different passenger isn't allowed — American treats that as a new booking, often needing a new record and reissue.
My name is spelled wrong on a British Airways ticket — what should I do?
If you booked with BA directly, contact BA and ask for a name correction (not a change), with your passport spelling ready. If you booked through an agency or OTA, go back to them — BA generally can't change a ticket another agency issued.
Can I transfer my ticket to another person?
On almost all airlines, no — an airline ticket is tied to one named traveler, so a different passenger means a new booking. (A few low-cost carriers allow a paid transfer; most don't.)
How do I fix a middle name or name-order problem?
This is usually a simple correction. Give the issuer your name exactly as it appears on your passport. Many airlines don't require the middle name to match if first and last are correct — but check yours.
Will a wrong name stop me at check-in?
It can. Your boarding pass must match your government ID. A small typo often passes, but don't gamble on it — fix it before you travel.
Need this sorted fast?
Name fixes are fiddly and time-sensitive, and the rules differ by airline and fare. We'll connect you with a licensed independent travel specialist who can check your exact ticket and sort it with the airline — or tell you honestly how to do it yourself for free.
📞 Call now — independent travel supportYellow & Blue Travel is an independent service. We're not an airline. We may earn a referral fee when you call.