Booking a flight can sometimes feel straightforward you select your destination, choose your dates, enter your details, and make the payment. But among those details, one stands out as crucial: the passenger’s name. This is because airlines, including Air Canada, are bound by strict international rules requiring the name on the ticket to exactly match the name on the traveler’s identification documents.
This raises a common question: does Air Canada allow ticket name changes or transfers? For travelers who make mistakes during booking or for those who wish to transfer a ticket to someone else, this is a critical issue. The short answer is that Air Canada permits limited name corrections, but does not allow full ticket transfers to another person.
This article explores Air Canada’s name change and transfer policies in detail. We will look at what changes are allowed, which ones are prohibited, possible fees, how to request corrections, and the broader reasons why airlines impose such strict rules.
Why Passenger Names Matter in Airline Tickets
Before diving into Air Canada’s specific policies, it is important to understand why name accuracy is so important in aviation.
- Security Regulations
International aviation authorities require that passenger names on tickets match official travel documents like passports or government-issued IDs. This prevents fraud, enhances safety, and ensures passenger identities are verified. - Immigration Compliance
Border officials rely on accurate passenger manifests. Any mismatch between a name on a ticket and a passport can result in delays or denial of entry. - Non-Transferability of Tickets
Airlines do not permit resale or transfer of tickets because it could lead to fare manipulation, black-market sales, or unfair exploitation of promotional fares. - Operational Efficiency
Name mismatches disrupt boarding, check-in, and baggage handling, slowing down operations and inconveniencing all travelers.
Because of these factors, Air Canada has strict rules on ticket name usage, while still offering reasonable flexibility for genuine mistakes.
Air Canada’s Policy on Ticket Name Changes
- Minor Name Corrections Allowed
Air Canada understands that mistakes happen during booking. For small typographical errors—such as a letter missing or a name slightly misspelled—Air Canada typically permits corrections. These corrections are limited in scope and are intended to ensure that the name matches the traveler’s passport or ID.
Examples include:
- Writing Jonh instead of John
- Typing Micheal instead of Michael
- Omitting a middle initial
These minor corrections may be free if noticed quickly or may involve a small administrative fee.
- Legal Name Changes Permitted with Documentation
If a traveler has legally changed their name due to marriage, divorce, or another official reason, Air Canada permits corrections. Supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or court-issued name change order, must be provided. In these cases, Air Canada usually charges an administrative fee but is more flexible because the correction is legally justified.
- Major Alterations or Transfers Not Allowed
Air Canada does not allow one passenger to transfer a ticket to another. If the original passenger cannot travel, the ticket cannot simply be reassigned. This rule applies even if the new passenger is a family member.
Air Canada’s Policy on Ticket Transfers
To clarify, Air Canada does not permit ticket transfers under any circumstance. Tickets are non-transferable and remain strictly tied to the individual named on the booking.
This means:
- You cannot sell your ticket to another person.
- You cannot change the booking name to a completely different traveler.
- You cannot swap names in group bookings to accommodate another traveler.
If the original traveler cannot use the ticket, the only options are to modify the travel date or route (if the fare conditions allow), cancel for a refund (on refundable fares), or forfeit the ticket value (on non-refundable fares).
Fees for Name Corrections
While full transfers are prohibited, name corrections may involve a fee. The amount depends on several factors:
- Type of Fare
- Economy Basic and Standard fares have stricter conditions and usually higher fees.
- Premium Economy and Business fares may allow easier corrections with lower charges.
- Timing of Request
- Early corrections, made soon after booking, may be free or inexpensive.
- Last-minute corrections, especially at the airport, can be more costly.
- Booking Channel
- Tickets booked directly with Air Canada (website, mobile app, or call center) are easier to correct.
- Tickets booked through third-party travel agencies may require contacting the agency, which often adds extra service fees.
Estimated fees range from free for minor early corrections to 150–200 Canadian dollars for complex changes or legal name updates.
How to Request a Name Correction with Air Canada
If you need to fix a misspelling or correct a name, follow these steps:
Step 1: Review Your Ticket
Carefully compare your booking details with your passport or government-issued ID. Identify the exact discrepancy.
Step 2: Contact Air Canada
Reach out through Air Canada’s call center, website support, or ticketing office. Provide your booking reference number and the correct spelling of the name.
Step 3: Provide Documentation (if necessary)
If your correction involves a legal name change, prepare to submit documents such as:
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Legal name change certificate
Step 4: Pay the Applicable Fee
Air Canada will inform you if a fee is required. Complete the payment promptly to finalize the correction.
Step 5: Confirm the Update
Once processed, Air Canada will send an updated e-ticket with the corrected name. Always review the updated ticket carefully.
What If the Name Cannot Be Corrected?
In some situations, Air Canada may refuse a correction. This usually occurs when:
- The booking name is completely different from the passenger’s real identity.
- The correction request is effectively a ticket transfer.
- The booking was made through a third-party agency with restrictive conditions.
If the correction is not permitted, the passenger may need to cancel and rebook under the correct name. Depending on the fare rules, a partial refund or travel credit may be available.
Special Cases
Group Bookings
Air Canada allows minor corrections in group bookings, but passengers cannot exchange names among group members to reuse tickets.
Codeshare Flights
If your Air Canada ticket includes flights operated by another airline (such as United Airlines or Lufthansa), the partner airline’s correction policy may apply. This can complicate the process, so always check in advance.
Aeroplan Loyalty Program
Ensure your name on the ticket matches your Aeroplan account exactly. If names do not match, mileage credit may not be awarded.
Why Air Canada Prohibits Ticket Transfers
Many travelers wonder why tickets cannot be transferred. The reasons include:
- Fraud Prevention
Allowing transfers would encourage reselling of tickets, often at inflated prices, leading to a secondary ticket market. - Fare Integrity
Airlines use dynamic pricing. Non-transferable tickets ensure that discounted fares are used only by the intended traveler. - Security and Compliance
Governments and aviation authorities require exact name matches for safety and immigration control. - Operational Consistency
Non-transferable tickets reduce last-minute complications at airports and streamline passenger handling.
Tips to Avoid Name Correction Fees
- Double-check before booking. Use your passport as a reference.
- Avoid nicknames. Always enter your full legal name.
- Be cautious with middle names. Include them if your passport shows them, especially for international flights.
- Book directly with Air Canada. This simplifies corrections.
- Act quickly. Correct mistakes immediately to avoid higher fees later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Air Canada allow full ticket transfers?
No, tickets cannot be transferred to another person.
Can I correct a typo in my name?
Yes, small spelling corrections are usually allowed with or without a fee.
How much does a name correction cost?
Fees range from free for minor typos to 200 Canadian dollars for more complex corrections.
Can I make corrections at the airport?
Sometimes, but it is risky and often more expensive. Correct early whenever possible.
Do I need documents to correct my name?
Only if your correction involves a legal name change. Typos usually do not require documentation.
Final Thoughts
Air Canada takes a balanced approach to ticket name policies. While the airline does not allow full name transfers under any circumstances, it does provide flexibility for correcting errors. Small spelling mistakes are typically easy to fix, while legal name changes are accepted with supporting documentation.
Fees vary depending on fare class, timing, and booking channel, but in most cases, corrections can be handled smoothly if requested early. The key takeaway is that Air Canada tickets are strictly non-transferable, meaning you cannot change the passenger to a different person.
The best way to avoid issues is to double-check your booking details before purchase. But if an error slips through, Air Canada’s structured correction process ensures that you can travel without disruption, provided you follow the correct steps.