Verified Guide: All fee and policy information in this article is sourced from Etihad Airways’ official modification policy page at etihad.com. Last verified April 2026. For personalized help, call Flying Getaway at our phone.
Spotted a typo in your name on an Etihad Airways ticket? Or recently changed your name after marriage or divorce and need to update your booking? If you’re a traveler flying Etihad from New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, or Houston to Abu Dhabi or onward, knowing the exact Etihad Airways name change policy before you call can save you time, money, and a boarding-gate headache.
This guide covers every scenario: minor typo corrections, legal name changes, what documents you need, exactly how much the Etihad name change fee is in 2026, and the step-by-step process to get it fixed fast.
Quick Answer: Etihad Airways allows name corrections up to 3 characters free of charge. All other name changes including legal name changes due to marriage or divorce cost USD $100 (or AU$150 for Australian bookings). Name changes cannot be done online; you must contact Etihad Airways or call Flying Getaway at our phone. Only one name change is allowed per booking.
Can I Change the Name on an Etihad Airways Ticket?
Yes but within specific limits. Etihad Airways allows name corrections and legal name changes on flight tickets, provided the change applies to the same passenger and the ticket is fully issued (ticketed). Here’s what is and is not allowed:
| Change Type | Allowed? | Fee | Requires Documents? |
| Minor typo correction (up to 3 characters) | Yes | Free | Valid government-issued ID |
| Title change (Mr. to Mrs., Ms. to Dr., etc.) | Yes | Free | Valid ID |
| Nickname to full legal name (e.g., MOHD → MOHAMMED) | Yes | Free | Valid passport |
| Add or remove middle name | Yes | Free | Valid passport |
| Legal name change marriage | Yes | USD $100 / AU$150 | Marriage certificate + passport |
| Legal name change divorce / Deed Poll | Yes | USD $100 / AU$150 | Decree / court order + passport |
| Add surname (same passenger identity) | Yes | USD $100 / AU$150 | Supporting legal documents |
| Full ticket transfer to another person | No never | N/A | Not permitted under any circumstances |
US traveler note: The US Department of Transportation requires that the name on your airline ticket match your government-issued ID exactly. A mismatch between your Etihad Airways ticket and your US passport can result in denied boarding fix it before you reach the airport.
Etihad Airways Name Change Policy: Full Rules for 2026
Before you call, understand these core rules that govern all Etihad Airways name change policy and name correction requests:
- One change per booking: Etihad allows only one name modification per ticket. Make sure the correction is accurate before submitting.
- Must be ticketed: Name corrections are not possible on unticketed bookings. Your ticket must be fully issued (you’ve received your e-ticket confirmation) for the request to proceed.
- Cannot be done online: Unlike some airlines, Etihad Airways does not allow self-service name changes through its website or app. All changes must go through Etihad’s Contact Centre or a travel agent.
- Same passenger only: The corrected name must still refer to the same traveler. Etihad does not permit changing a ticket to a different person’s name under any circumstance.
- Name character limit: Names on Etihad tickets cannot exceed 28 characters. Factor this in when adding surnames or middle names.
- Partially used tickets: If you have already flown the first leg of a multi-city journey, name changes only apply to the unused segments of the ticket.
- Third-party bookings: If you booked through a US travel agency or OTA (like Expedia or Flying Getaway), the name change must be initiated through that agency, not directly with Etihad. Call our phone if you booked through Flying Getaway.
Etihad Airways Name Change Fee: How Much Does It Cost?
The Etihad name change fee structure is straightforward. Here’s what US travelers actually pay in 2026, sourced directly from Etihad Airways name change policy:
| Type of Name Change | Fee for US Travelers | Fee (Australia) |
| Minor correction up to 3 characters (typos, title, nickname) | Free | Free |
| Legal name change (marriage, divorce, Deed Poll, surname addition) | USD $100 per ticket | AU$150 per ticket |
| Changes made within 24 hours of original booking | Free (all types) | Free (all types) |
The $100 fee applies per ticket, per passenger. For a family of four who all need a legal name correction after a marriage, that’s $400 total. Plan ahead and call as soon as you notice the error.
24-hour window: If you catch a name error within 24 hours of making your original Etihad booking, contact Etihad Airways or call Flying Getaway at our phone immediately. Name changes within this risk-free window are processed at no charge for all error types.
What Types of Name Changes Does Etihad Airways Allow?
Etihad’s name correction policy covers six categories of changes. Here’s what each means for US passengers:
1. Spelling Corrections (Most Common)
If you mistyped your first name, last name, or middle name during booking a transposed letter, extra character, or missing letter Etihad corrects this free of charge, as long as the correction is 3 characters or fewer. Example: “JOHN SMTIH” corrected to “JOHN SMITH.”
2. Title Corrections
Changing from Mr. to Mrs., Ms. to Dr., or any title update is free regardless of the character count, as it doesn’t change the passenger’s identity. This is common for travelers whose title changed after marriage.
3. Nickname to Full Legal Name
Traveling under a common nickname that doesn’t match your passport? Etihad allows the correction at no charge. Example: “MOHD” changed to “MOHAMMED,” or “LIZ” to “ELIZABETH.” Your passport name must match the corrected version.
4. Adding or Removing a Middle Name
If your middle name is missing from your Etihad ticket but appears on your US passport, you can add it free of charge. The same applies to removing a middle name that appears on the ticket but not on your travel documents.
5. Legal Name Change After Marriage or Divorce
This is the most common paid name change scenario for US travelers. If you’ve legally changed your name through marriage or divorce after booking your Etihad ticket, you can update it for $100 USD. You must provide your marriage certificate or divorce decree plus a copy of your new US passport or government-issued ID.
6. Deed Poll / Court-Ordered Name Change
If your name changed through a legal process (court order, Deed Poll, gender affirmation documentation), Etihad allows the update for $100 USD. Submit the relevant US or international legal documentation through your travel agent or directly to Etihad’s Contact Centre.
Documents Required for Etihad Airways Name Change: US Traveler Checklist
What you need depends on the type of correction you’re requesting. Have these ready before you call:
| Name Change Type | Documents Required |
| Minor typo correction (up to 3 characters) | Copy of US passport or government-issued photo ID |
| Title change | Copy of valid US ID; marriage certificate if title change is marriage-related |
| Nickname to full legal name | Copy of US passport showing the full legal name |
| Add or remove middle name | US passport showing middle name as it should appear on ticket |
| Marriage name change | Marriage certificate + updated US passport or driver’s license |
| Divorce / reverting to maiden name | Divorce decree + US passport in maiden name |
| Deed Poll or court-ordered change | Official Deed Poll or court order + new government-issued US ID |
Document tip for US travelers: Etihad requires documents to reflect the name as it will appear on your US passport at the time of travel not your current ID if it hasn’t been updated yet. If your passport is still in your old name, update it before flying or call our phone for guidance on how to handle the mismatch.
How to Change Your Name on an Etihad Airways Ticket: Step-by-Step
Etihad Airways does not allow online self-service name changes. All corrections must go through Etihad’s Contact Centre or, if you booked through a travel agency, through your agent. Here’s the exact process for US travelers:
If You Booked Through Flying Getaway
- Call Flying Getaway at our phone have your booking confirmation number and the correct name spelling ready
- Our agent will verify the error and confirm whether it’s a free minor correction or a $100 legal name change
- Submit required documents (passport copy, marriage certificate, etc.) via email or upload link provided by our team
- Pay the $100 fee if applicable minor corrections are processed at no cost
- Receive your updated Etihad Airways e-ticket with the corrected name by email
If You Booked Directly with Etihad Airways
- Visit etihad.com and go to ‘Manage Your Booking’ note that name changes cannot be completed here
- Click ‘Contact Us’ and reach Etihad Airways’ Global Contact Centre (US line available)
- Provide your booking reference (PNR), the incorrect name, and the correct name as it appears on your US passport
- Submit required documentation by email as requested by the Etihad agent
- Pay the $100 fee if applicable via the secure payment link provided
- Receive the updated e-ticket with corrected name by email check it against your US passport before your flight
Timing tip: Do not wait until close to your departure. Etihad name change requests can take 24–72 hours to process, especially for legal name changes requiring document verification. If your flight is within 48 hours and you have a name mismatch, call our phone immediately for priority processing.
Can I Correct My Name on Etihad After Online Check-In?
Yes, but your window is very narrow. If you’ve already completed online check-in and then notice a name discrepancy, you must:
- Contact Etihad’s Contact Centre immediately do not proceed to the airport without resolving it
- Expect limited options depending on how close you are to departure
- Be prepared for a possible re-ticketing fee on top of the standard $100 name change fee if a new ticket must be issued
- Call Flying Getaway at our phone for urgent same-day assistance if your Etihad flight departs within 24 hours
The safest approach: check your name on your Etihad ticket against your US passport immediately after booking, before you even consider check-in.
How to Change Your Name on Etihad Guest (Frequent Flyer Profile)
Changing the name on your Etihad Guest frequent flyer account is a separate process from changing it on a flight ticket. Here’s how US members update their Etihad Guest profile name:
- You cannot change your Etihad Guest profile name online through the website or app
- Contact Etihad Guest Services directly with valid documents proving the name change (US passport, marriage certificate, or court order)
- Processing typically takes 3–7 business days for US account holders
- Your updated profile name must match your travel document name to avoid check-in discrepancies on future Etihad flights
Note: Updating your Etihad Guest profile name does not automatically update the name on any upcoming booked tickets. Those must be corrected separately through the name change process above.
Why the Name on Your Etihad Ticket Must Match Your US Passport?
This is non-negotiable on international flights. Here’s why US travelers need to take name mismatches seriously:
- TSA requirement: The US Transportation Security Administration requires the name on your boarding pass to match your government-issued ID exactly. Discrepancies can trigger additional screening or denied boarding.
- CBP/customs at re-entry: When returning to the US from Abu Dhabi or international connections, US Customs and Border Protection cross-checks your passport against your ticket details. A mismatch can delay clearance.
- Etihad policy: If you travel on a ticket with a name that doesn’t match your documents, Etihad may charge you the full fare difference for a new ticket at the airport at walk-up prices.
- Booking cancellation risk: For significant name discrepancies, Etihad reserves the right to cancel remaining flight segments entirely if you don’t contact them in advance.
Need to Fix a Name on Your Etihad Airways Ticket?
Whether it’s a 2-character typo or a full legal name change after marriage, the fix is straightforward if you act quickly. The key is not to wait name corrections take time to process, and the closer you get to your departure from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Houston, the fewer options you have.
Call Flying Getaway at our phone. Our team handles Etihad Airways name corrections and legal name changes for US travelers daily we’ll walk you through the process, handle the paperwork, and get your updated e-ticket to you fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the name on my Etihad Airways ticket?
Yes. Etihad Airways allows name corrections and legal name changes on issued tickets. Minor corrections (up to 3 characters) are free. Legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, or court orders cost USD $100. Tickets cannot be transferred to a different person under any circumstances.
How much does it cost to change a name on an Etihad ticket?
Minor name corrections of up to 3 characters are free of charge. All other name changes including legal updates due to marriage or divorce cost USD $100 per ticket (AU$150 in Australia). Changes made within 24 hours of the original booking are free for all change types.
What is considered a minor name correction on Etihad Airways?
Etihad defines a minor name correction as a change of up to 3 characters in the first, middle, or last name due to a genuine typing error. This includes swapped letters, missing characters, or extra letters. Title changes (Mr./Mrs./Dr.) are also treated as minor corrections and processed free of charge.
How do I change my name on an Etihad ticket after marriage?
Contact Flying Getaway at our phone or Etihad’s Contact Centre directly. Submit your marriage certificate and updated US passport. The legal name change fee is USD $100. Processing takes 24–72 hours. Do this as soon as possible do not wait until close to your departure date.
Can I change my name on an Etihad ticket online?
No. Etihad Airways does not offer online self-service name changes through its website or app. All name corrections and changes must go through Etihad’s Contact Centre or your travel agent. If you booked through Flying Getaway, call our phone and we’ll handle it for you.
Can I correct my name on Etihad after checking in online?
Yes, but only in limited cases and with time constraints. If you’ve already completed online check-in and notice a name error, contact Etihad’s Contact Centre or call our phone immediately. Do not proceed to the airport with a name mismatch on your boarding pass.
Can I transfer my Etihad ticket to someone else?
No. Etihad Airways tickets are strictly non-transferable. The name on the ticket must always refer to the same passenger who originally booked. Changing a ticket to a different person’s name is not permitted under the Etihad Airways name change policy under any circumstances.
How do I change my name on my Etihad Guest frequent flyer account?
Etihad Guest profile name changes cannot be done online. Contact Etihad Guest Services directly with your valid US passport and supporting documentation (marriage certificate or court order if applicable). Allow 3–7 business days for processing. Note that this does not automatically update your name on upcoming booked flights.
How many name changes does Etihad Airways allow per booking?
Etihad Airways allows only one name change per booking. This means you must get it right the first time double-check the corrected spelling against your US passport before submitting the request. If further changes are needed after that, a new ticket may need to be issued.
What documents do I need for an Etihad Airways name change?
For minor corrections: a copy of your US passport or government-issued photo ID. For legal name changes: your updated US passport plus your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. All documents must reflect the name as it will appear on your travel documents at the time of your Etihad flight.
