Air France Name Change Policy

Air France’s Business Class name change policy allows corrections under specific conditions but prohibits transferring tickets to another person. Below is a detailed overview based on available information:

Key Points of Air France Business Class Name Change Policy

Name Changes Prohibited: Air France does not allow transferring a Business Class ticket to another person. The name on the ticket must match the traveler’s government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license) exactly, per security regulations.

Name Corrections Permitted:

• Minor Corrections: You can correct misspellings or typographical errors in the first, middle, or last name, typically limited to three characters (e.g., “Jonh” to “John” or “Smtih” to “Smith”). Corrections are free if due to an airline or travel agency error or within 24 hours of booking (if the flight is at least seven days away). Otherwise, a fee may apply.
• Legal Name Changes: Changes due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or other legal reasons are allowed with supporting documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order). These are typically free but require ticket reissuance.
• Titles and Suffixes: Adding or correcting titles (e.g., Mr., Dr.) or suffixes (e.g., Jr., Sr.) is free, as long as it doesn’t alter the core name.
• Middle Names: Including or excluding a middle name is permitted if the first and last names match the ID. Adding a middle name may incur a fee depending on the fare type.

Fees:

• Minor Corrections: Free for airline errors or within 24 hours of booking (if the flight is at least seven days away). Otherwise, correction fees for Business Class range from $0 to $100, depending on the fare type:
  • Biz Saver: $100 correction fee.
  • Biz (Standard): $75 correction fee.
  • Biz Plus: Free correction.
• Legal Name Changes: Typically free with valid documentation, but a fare difference may apply if the ticket is reissued in a higher fare class.
• Ticket Reissuance: Each name correction requires reissuing the ticket, which may incur a fare difference if the original fare is unavailable.
• Service Fees: Changes made at the airport or through customer service may incur an additional fee of approximately €20 ($20).
• Group Bookings: Minor corrections are allowed until tickets are issued, but fees apply post-issuance unless for legal reasons.

Process for Name Corrections:

• Online: Visit wwws.airfrance.us, go to “My Bookings,” enter your booking reference (PNR) and last name, select “Correct Name,” and submit the corrected name with a passport copy or other ID. This is the most cost-effective method.
• Travel Agents: If booked through a travel agency, contact them directly to coordinate with Air France.
• Documentation: For minor corrections, submit a passport or government-issued ID. For legal changes, provide a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Processing may take 7–8 business days.
• Timing: Corrections must be made at least 24 hours before departure, as changes are not allowed after check-in.

Restrictions:

• Only tickets issued by Air France (ticket number starting with 057) are eligible for corrections under this policy.
• Corrections are limited to three characters for the last name unless due to a legal change.
• Gender specification errors or diminutive names (e.g., “Fich” to “Finch”) are considered valid corrections.
• Group bookings or special fare tickets may have stricter rules, prohibiting changes after issuance unless for legal reasons.
• Codeshare flights operated by partners (e.g., Delta, KLM) may follow the operating carrier’s policy, even if booked through Air France.

Special Cases:

• Involuntary Changes: If Air France cancels or changes your flight, name corrections during rebooking are typically free.
• EU Regulations: For flights to/from the EU, Iceland, Norway, or Switzerland, passengers denied boarding due to a name mismatch caused by airline error may be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.

Recommendations

• Verify at Booking: Ensure the name matches your government-issued ID exactly, including middle names if listed, to avoid issues.
• Act Promptly: Request corrections within 24 hours of booking to avoid fees, using the risk-free period if applicable.
• Check Fare Rules: Business Class fare types (Biz Saver, Biz, Biz Plus) have different correction fees. Review your ticket conditions in “My Bookings.”
• Travel Insurance: Consider insurance to cover costs if a name correction requires rebooking at a higher fare.