Can You Change Your Name On a British Airways Flight?
British Airways has been quite a popular airline in 2024 fourth quarter. Travelers have given quite positive reviews about their travel experience with British Airways. The airline boasts about carrying over 40 million customers each year – that’s quite a number indeed.
Now, when it comes to their rules and regulations, British Airways has a set of norms maintaining which is mandatory for passengers to follow to ensure a smooth, and seamless travel. Has it ever happened that you’ve perhaps made your reservation with British Airways and later come to notice that you’ve made an error with the name? What do you do then? Can you change your name with British Airways? That’s what we will know in the article that follows.
Does British Airways Allow You To Change Your Name?
When it comes to name change, British Airways doesn’t have too flexible policies. They mostly don’t allow name changes, especially when any reservation is already made. However, there are certain exceptions. In such cases, they may allow a name change up to as many as three letters.
If a name change is needed after divorce or marriage, to match the credentials on the passport, then too British Airways allow the procedure to happen.
How Do You Make A Name Change To Your British Airways Reservation?
Unlike some airlines, British Airways doesn’t permit name changes through the British Airways website. The only way in which the changes can be initiated is by dialing their call center number. You can call them and initiate a name change request:
- Up to three letters or characters for traveling on a flight operated by BD (236 ticketed booking)
- After marriage or divorce to match the details on your passport
Do You Have to Pay A Fee To Change Your Name On British Airways?
Yes, when you have to change your name by calling British Airways, there’ll be a fee charged for the same.
- For changing names up to three letters or characters you will be charged and administration fee of £45 at the UK call center, and €50 at the IE call center. At the call center in North America, the charge is $60.
- In case of name changes because of marriage or divorce the administration fee comes to £45.
You must note that for all name changes related to divorce or marriage, supporting evidence should be furnished.
Conclusion
So to sum it up, yes, you can change your name on your British Airways reservation – but that shouldn’t be more than a minor name change. You won’t be able to do it online and must contact the British Airways call center for the same. It is always advisable to enter your credentials carefully and crosscheck to avoid any errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your first, and last name match with the name on your passport perfectly, then there isn’t any need to add your middle name to your British Airways reservation. If your middle name is included on the ticket it will appear as a single long name since the system doesn’t recognize characters or spaces.
If you have entered your name correctly but you find any space, hyphen, or any other special characters missing, there isn’t much that you must do. British Airways has its system arranged in such a way that it doesn’t recognize spaces or characters separating names. You will not have any problem with security checks as well, as they are aware of the system glitch.
The thumb rule is that the name on your ticket should match the name on your passport. Not only that all other necessary travel documents must also have the same name as the one on your ticket. So, if your essential documents have your maiden name, you can use the same while booking your ticket.
You cannot change the entire name but up to three letters or characters, not more than that. So, if you wish to change the full name you need to cancel the entire ticket. If you directly booked with British Airways and desire to change your cancel your ticket within 24 hours since you booked it, you will be entitled to a complete refund.
Changing up to three letters in a name will cost you £45 at the UK call center, €50 at the IE call center, and $60 at the call center in North America. For a name change because of divorce or marriage, the approximate fee is £45.
Transferring your ticket to someone else’s name on British Airways isn’t permitted. If you wish to do the same, cancel your ticket and book it again. If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you’ll get a total refund for the same provided you have booked your ticket entirely with British Airways.
