British Airways
Name Change Policy & Fees: The Ultimate Guide

Made a spelling error or had a legal name change after booking your British Airways flight? Our comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about the airline’s name change policy, from simple typo corrections to more complex situations, ensuring you can board your flight without any hassle. British Airways permits minor name corrections and legal name changes but prohibits full ticket transfers to another person in most cases .

What Constitutes a Name Change on British Airways?

A name change on a British Airways ticket involves correcting or altering the passenger name to match government-issued ID. British Airways distinguishes between:  

Minor Corrections

Fixing small errors like spelling mistakes (e.g., “Jhon” to “John”) or missing letters. These are often free if detected early and involve up to three letters .

Legal Name Changes

Adjustments due to marriage, divorce, or court orders require documentation and may involve fees .

Major Changes

Transferring tickets to another person is strictly prohibited except under specific conditions like group bookings .

British Airways' Name Change Rules and Requirements

Allowed Changes

Minor spelling corrections (up to three letters), legal name changes with documentation, and title updates .  

Not Allowed Changes

Transferring tickets to another person is prohibited for most fare types. Executive Club travel reward tickets are also non-changeable .

Required Documents

Government-issued ID, marriage certificate, court order, divorce decree, or deed poll for legal changes .  

Time Limits & Deadlines

Requests should be made before departure. Changes within 24 hours of booking are free under the cooling-off period .

Fees
  •  Complimentary for minor corrections on eligible tickets .  
  •  £45/€50 for changes via UK call center; $60 for North America .  
Special Cases

Group bookings, codeshare flights, and Air Canada Vacations packages require direct contact with the airline or booking agent .

Process

British Airways Name Change Fees Compared to Other Airlines

Airline Minor Correction Fee Major Change (If Allowed)
British Airways £45/€50 (UK) / $60 (NA) Not Permitted
American Airlines $150 Not Permitted
Delta Airlines $100 $200 + Fare Difference
United Airlines $75 Not Permitted

Real-World Examples:

  • Correcting “Micheal” to “Michael” via UK call center: £45 fee.
  • Changing “Jane Smith” to “Jane Jones” after marriage: $60 fee + fare difference (if applicable), supported by marriage certificate.

Important Restrictions to Consider

Fare Class Limitations

Basic Economy tickets are often non-changeable or incur high fees .

Character Limit

Corrections are limited to three letters across all name parts .

Denied Cases

Transfers to another person are automatically denied. Tickets from unauthorized third-party sites may be ineligible .

Executive Club Tickets

No name changes allowed for reward flights booked with points .

How Our Service Simplifies Name Changes

Struggling with British Airways’ Name Change Process? Our experts at CheapFlyFinder can:  

  • Verify your eligibility for changes  
  • Prepare required documentation  
  • Handle airline communications on your behalf  
  • Ensure timely processing before deadlines  

Yes, British Airways allows corrections of up to three letters for a fee, depending on the region .  

Contact customer service with your booking confirmation and marriage certificate. A fee of £45/€50 or $60 may apply, plus any fare difference .  

Yes. If your original fare is unavailable, you must pay the difference to the current fare in addition to the change fee .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Disclaimer: Name change policies are subject to change by British Airways. The information provided is for guidance only. Always verify the latest policy directly with British Airways or relevant authorities. CheapFlyFinder is not affiliated with British Airways.

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