Name Format Policy for Passengers
Below are the name format guidelines to follow when booking a flight within India or internationally.
Uniform name across documents
Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on the valid identification proof that you will present at the time of entry into the airport, check-in, immigration, or boarding.
- For Indian domestic passengers, the name on your booking should match the name on your Aadhaar card or other acceptable identification.
- For international passengers, use your full name (complete first name, middle name if applicable, and last name) as shown in your passport.
If your name on the identification proof does not match the name provided in the booking, you will not be permitted to enter the airport or board the flight.
Hence, it is essential to ensure the accuracy of your name while making your reservation.
Name Format Guidelines
In case of a single name
When booking a flight with us, you are required to fill in your first and last name separately.
We understand that it might be confusing if you have only one name associated with you, i.e., you don't have a middle or last name, and you refer to yourself as, say, 'John'. In that case:
- You must repeat the name in both the first and last name fields.
- Hence, you will have to enter John in the first name field and John in the last name field, i.e., John John.
International travel: Country-specific exceptions for single name
USA and Canada
If you are booking a flight to USA or Canada, and have only one name associated with you, i.e., you don't have a middle or last name, and you refer to yourself as, say, 'Gayatri'. Please follow the steps mentioned below:
- In the first name field, please enter 'FNU'.
- Please enter your name in the last name field, i.e., 'Gayatri'.
Australia
If you are booking a flight to Australia, and have only one name associated with you, i.e., you don't have a middle or last name, and you refer to yourself as, say, 'Gayatri'. Please follow the steps mentioned below:
- In the first name field, please enter 'Unknown'.
- Please enter your name in the last name field, i.e., 'Gayatri'.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Passengers with travel documents that only bear a single name will not be permitted to enter the United Arab Emirates. For entry, passports must include at least two names, comprising a surname and a given name, regardless of whether both names are listed as surnames or given names, with a space separating the two names.
Exemptions:
- An additional name of a parent/guardian is listed on the travel document
- If the passenger also has a United Arab Emirates ID Card with two names
- Passenger/s have an employment visa issued by the United Arab Emirates
- Passengers with a visa issued by the United Arab Emirates displays additional names
- Passengers with a government duty passport
You have a first and last name associated with you
When booking a flight with us, make sure to provide your first and last name separately in the designated fields.
If your name is, for instance, 'John Doe', please write 'John' in the first name field and 'Doe' in the last name field.
You have a middle name associated with you
When you are booking a flight with us, you are required to enter your first name and last name in separate fields. But, if you have a middle name associated with you along with a first name and last name, please follow the below steps:
- Please enter your first name in the first name field.
- Type your middle name in the first name field after your first name, separated by a blank space. Please do not use any special characters.
- Enter your last name in the last name field.
For example, if your name reads, 'John Allen Doe'. In that case:
- Enter 'John' in the first name field.
- Type 'Allen' after 'John' in the first name field separated by a blank, i.e., 'John Allen'.
- Enter 'Doe' in the last name field.
Single character and special characters in first, middle, or last names
Please note that we do not accept first, middle, or last names that are represented by single characters or abbreviations.
For example, 'J Allen', 'John A', 'John A D', etc., will not be accepted.
Additionally, avoid using numeric or special characters such as dashes (-) or single quotes (').
Please provide your complete name as it appears on your valid identification proof when booking your flight.
Misspelt your name?
If you have misspelt your name when booking your flight with us, you can contact us and resolve the issue.
You can also raise a request using our customer support portal, and a customer support executive will contact you to help you with your query.
Note: Charges may apply for requesting a name change or correcting your misspelt name.
Scenarios considered for Name Correction before travel
Air India accepts name corrections of a ticketed booking before commencement of travel under the below scenarios:
| REASON | EXAMPLE |
| Genuine typing errors up to 3 characters | TOM/JIRRY MR to TOM/JERRY MR |
| Title Amendments | TOM/MARY MR to TOM/MARY MRS |
Interchange of Surname/First Name | MARY/TOM MRS to TOM/MARY MRS or MARY TOM/FNU MRS |
Maiden Name to Married Name | JOHN/MARY MS to JACK/MARY MRS |
| Shortened/Nick name to full name | ALSHAMSI/MOHD MR to ALSHAMSI/MOHAMMED MR |
Addition of Middle name* | BROWN/JOHN MR to BROWN/JOHN PAUL MR |
*Both Surname and Middle name should be present in the passport. Middle name is not mandatory except for travel to/ from US & Canada.
- Name corrections on bookings can only be done by Air India
- If your booking contains a segment operated by another airline name correction cannot be done. A new booking with the correct name in the available booking class should be created
- Name correction requests must be for the same person on the ticket
- Only one name correction is permitted per guest
- The applicable fare difference will be collected, if any. Only if the itinerary's date or flight is changed will there be a date change penalty collected.
- Name corrections may not be made within 24 hours of departure. These requests will be actioned by our teams between 0900-1800(IST) Monday-Saturday. Sundays and Public holidays are not in scope of this policy.