The name on your flight ticket must match your ID: what to check

The most common avoidable problem with a flight booking is a wrong name. Airlines check the name on the ticket against the document you show at the airport, and a mismatch can mean a fee to correct it, or in the worst case a refused boarding.

Use the name on the document you will carry

Enter the name exactly as it is on the identity document you will show: a passport for an international flight, and a photo ID the airline accepts for a domestic one. Do not use a nickname, and do not shorten a long name.

First name and last name fields

Some people have one name only. Many airlines still need two fields filled. If your document shows a single name, check the airline's rule for that case before booking, because the right way differs between airlines. If you are unsure, contact us before paying.

Title and age

Choose the title that matches the traveller (Mr, Mrs, Ms for adults; Mstr and Miss for children). Age matters because fares differ: an adult is 12 or older, a child is 2 to 11, and an infant is under 2 on the day of travel. For a return trip, the age on the day of the return flight can change a child to an adult, so check both dates.

If you find a mistake after booking

Write to us at once. Some airlines allow a small spelling correction for a fee; some treat a different name as a new ticket. The earlier you ask, the more options there are, and the rules belong to the airline.

Quick checklist

• Spelling matches the document, letter by letter.
• No titles or nicknames in the name fields.
• Passport valid for the whole trip for an international flight (many countries ask for six months).
• Dates of birth are correct for every child and infant.