A misspelled name on an airline ticket is one of those tiny mistakes that can balloon into a travel-day panic. For Swiss International Air Lines (branded as SWISS), the rules are straightforward in principle but have important nuances in practice: SWISS treats name corrections and name changes/transfers differently, enforces strict requirements for matching travel documents, and limits what passengers can do through its online tools. This longform guide explains SWISS’s name-correction policy, when corrections are allowed (and when they aren’t), how much they typically cost, what documentation you may need, and practical steps to get the issue fixed with the least friction.
Short answer — the headline policy
- Minor name corrections (typos, small spelling fixes) are usually permitted but are not handled via the online “Manage booking” page; you must contact SWISS or the party that issued the ticket.
- Legal name changes (e.g., after marriage, divorce, or other official changes) are allowed but require supporting documents and manual processing.
- Ticket transfers — assigning your ticket to a different person — are not allowed. Tickets are issued to a named traveler and are non-transferable.
Those three lines cover most traveler questions. The rest of this article explains the “why,” the exceptions, and a practical playbook so you can fix the problem quickly and cheaply.
Why airlines care about names — and why SWISS is strict
Airlines have to match the name on a booking to government databases (immigration, watch lists, etc.) and to the identity documents presented at check-in and border control. Mistakes can create security red flags, entry/visa mismatches, or ticketing errors, so carriers — especially full-service international airlines like SWISS — build policies that minimize name ambiguity.
SWISS’s website explicitly states that the first and last name must be entered exactly as in the travel documents and that name changes are not possible online; any corrections or additions must be handled by the airline or the issuing travel agent. That’s primarily to ensure accuracy and to allow manual checks when a name change looks like more than a minor typo.
What exactly counts as a “name correction” vs a “name change”?
Understanding terminology helps you predict the outcome:
- Name correction (minor) — A small, obvious typo (one or two characters), transposed letters, missing diacritics, or a misplaced middle name. These are usually considered corrections and are commonly accepted after verification.
- Name change (legal) — A formal change of the passenger’s legal name (e.g., after marriage, gender marker change, or court order). This requires legal documentation and a manual reissue of the ticket.
- Name transfer (ticket to another person) — When you attempt to replace the named traveler with a different person. This is not allowed by SWISS; a new ticket must be purchased for the other person.
When are corrections allowed for free — and when will you pay?
Timing and the nature of the error determine cost:
- Before ticket issuance: If you spot and report an error before the ticket is issued, SWISS (and many airlines) will usually correct the name at no cost. This is the easiest, cleanest scenario.
- After ticket issuance — minor corrections: Corrections after issuing the ticket are possible but commonly incur an administrative fee. For group bookings SWISS explicitly lists a fee of €100 per name changed after ticketing; for individual tickets fees vary by fare rules and region (so always confirm the amount).
- Legal name changes: These are usually accepted when accompanied by legal documents (new passport, marriage certificate, or other official papers) and may be processed without the same penalty as a voluntary post-issue name change — but again, it depends on fare rules and how the ticket was issued.
Important: SWISS doesn’t publish a single global price list for name corrections on its public site; fees depend on ticket type, route, and how you booked. Always request a written fee quote before authorizing any change
How to correct a name on a SWISS ticket — step-by-step
Follow this checklist to resolve the issue with minimal stress:
- Check how the ticket was issued.
- If you booked through an OTA or travel agency, contact them first — they usually must perform the change or coordinate with SWISS. If you booked directly with SWISS, contact SWISS’s ticketing/reservations.
- Compare the booking name to the travel document exactly.
- Note capitalization, order of given names, punctuation, and diacritics. SWISS systems may internally store first and middle names without spaces; verify the “legal” first+last name match your passport.
- Gather supporting documents.
- For minor corrections, a photo/scan of the passport page may be enough. For legal changes, have the new passport, marriage certificate, or court documents ready.
- Contact the right channel.
- Call the local SWISS reservation center or use their online contact form. Many national SWISS sites list local numbers and service hours. If booked via an agent, involve them immediately.
- Explain, request confirmation, and ask about fees.
- Ask whether the fix is a “correction” or a “name change” per fare rules. If there’s a fee, request the exact amount and ask them to send a confirmation email with the corrected itinerary.
- Keep written evidence.
- Save the confirmation email showing the corrected name and any receipts for fees paid. This avoids trouble at check-in or immigration.
- If you’re short on time, escalate.
- Ask to speak with a supervisor or customer relations if the front-line agent is unclear. For imminent travel, arrive early at the airport with documentation and be prepared to show proof at check-in. (Airport fixes are risky and not guaranteed.)
Special cases and practical caveats
- Group bookings: SWISS’s group travel conditions explicitly allow changes before ticketing for free but state a €100 fee per name for changes after tickets are issued; legal corrections (e.g., marriage) may be allowed free of charge after issuance — but group terms are specific and differ from individual tickets.
- Online “Manage booking” cannot change names: SWISS’s site prevents online name edits — you won’t find a self-service button to change the passenger’s name. That’s intentional: name edits almost always require manual validation.
- Visas and entry documents: If your trip requires visas, ETAs, or other entry authorizations, the name on those documents must match your passport and ticket. If the visa already contains the misspelling, you may need embassy/consulate help to reissue or correct the authorization. Airlines will not assume responsibility for visa mismatches. (This is general travel practice — confirm with the consulate if unsure.)
- Middle names and system quirks: SWISS’s system may store first and middle names concatenated for internal reasons. This is usually harmless so long as the legal first and last names match the passport. Still, verify your itinerary displays your name in a way border agents will recognize.
Realistic timeline — how long will it take?
- Minor correction before ticketing: often immediate or same-day.
- Minor correction after ticketing: could be same-day but may take 24–72 hours depending on the issuing office.
- Legal name change: processing can take several days because documentation must be validated and the ticket may require reissue.
- If travel is imminent: contact the airline immediately and be prepared to present original documents at the airport. Last-minute walk-up changes are possible in some cases, but they’re risky — do not rely on them for international travel that requires precise visa/document matching.
Fee examples — what travelers report
SWISS does not publish a single flat fee applicable to all name corrections. However:
- Group terms explicitly state €100 per name when changing names after ticket issuance.
- Independent travel forums and third-party agencies report that minor corrections can sometimes be processed for a modest administrative fee or even free if caught early; other passengers report fees anywhere from modest administrative charges to more significant amounts depending on routing and ticket type. Because the charge depends on fare rules and where/how the ticket was purchased, always ask for a written fee quote before authorizing a change.
If SWISS refuses or can’t help — fallback options
- If an OTA/agent issued the ticket: pressure the issuing agency to act. Agents are often contractually required to manage changes for their issued tickets.
- Escalate within SWISS: ask for customer relations if frontline staff are unhelpful; written correspondence helps.
- If the cost is prohibitive: compare the cost of paying the fee vs cancelling (if allowed) and rebooking a new ticket. Sometimes rebooking is cheaper for low-cost fares.
- Airport as last resort: if all else fails and travel is imminent, present your passport and documentation at check-in early — but be aware airport staff might not have the authority to reissue tickets without the applicable fees or approvals.
Sample scripts and email templates
Use a short, factual script when you call SWISS or your issuing agent:
“Hello — my booking reference is ABC123. The passenger name is currently spelled ‘Jhon Smith’, but on the passport it reads ‘John Smith’. This is a minor spelling error. Can you please correct the booking and reissue the ticket? Is there a fee? I can send a scan of the passport.”
Sample email subject: Request for name correction — PNR ABC123
Attach a clear scan of the passport and request a confirmation email that shows the corrected name on the itinerary.
Final checklist before you travel
- Verify the name on the itinerary exactly matches your passport (first and last name).
- Keep copies of any documentation used to justify the change (passport, marriage certificate).
- Confirm whether any visas/ETAs need to be reissued because of the correction.
- Save written confirmation of any fee paid for the change.
- Arrive at the airport early if the name correction was done very close to departure.
SWISS allows name corrections — especially for minor typos and documented legal changes — but does not allow ticket transfers to a different person. Name edits are not possible through the online manage-booking tool and must be done by the airline or the issuing travel agent. Fees and procedures depend on timing (before or after ticket issuance), whether the ticket is part of a group booking, and the nature of the change; group rules, for example, state a €100 charge per name for post-issue name changes while legal corrections may be handled without that fee when proper documents are provided. Given the variability, the safest move is to act as early as possible, contact the issuing party immediately, and request written confirmation for any correction and fee.