Ethiopian Airlines Name Change Policy

For Ethiopian Airlines, the name on your flight ticket must match your passport or government-issued ID. If it doesn’t, you may not be allowed to board. When booking, ensure your ticket has the correct name, date of birth, and gender as shown on your ID.

However, in case you change your legal ID or find a mistake on your ticket, contact Ethiopian Airlines to request a name correction. So, this guide covers all the details on dealing with Ethiopian Airlines’ Name Change Policy for travelers’ ease.

Ethiopian Airlines Name Change – All Terms & Conditions 

Ethiopian Airlines’ name change policy has specific rules for changing the name on a ticket. Hence, you are eligible to request name changes in the given conditions:

• Complete name changes are not allowed unless it’s for legal reasons. Meaning, that it is not allowed to change the bookings/tickets from one person to another.
• Minor corrections are allowed for transpositions or combined name corrections of up to 3 character changes in first, middle, or last names.
• Title changes (e.g., from Mr. to Mrs./Ms.) are allowed with valid reasons and supporting documents, like a marriage certificate.
• Tickets purchased from travel agencies are not eligible for name changes.
• Make sure to request the name change as soon as possible. Last-minute changes might not be allowed or could come with extra fees.

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Ethiopian Airlines Name Format

To ensure correct booking and travel documentation, Ethiopian Airlines has a specific format for entering passenger names at the time of booking, as below:

• Full Name Entry: Enter the passenger’s full name exactly as it appears on their passport or travel document. Only English alphabetical characters are allowed.
• General Name Format:
  • Surname: Enter the passenger’s surname in the “Last Name” field.
  • Given Name: Enter the passenger’s given name(s) (first and middle) in the “First Name” field.
• Character Limits:
  • Last Name: Up to 29 characters, including spaces.
  • First Name: Up to 29 characters, including spaces.
• Handling Missing Names:
  • No Last Name: If the passenger has no last name, type the title (e.g., Mr/Mrs/Ms) in the “Last Name” field.
  • No First Name: If there is no first name, type the title in the “First Name” field.
• Single-Letter Last Name: If the last name is only one letter, repeat the title (e.g., Mr/Mrs/Ms) in the “First Name” field and enter the single letter in the “Last Name” field.
• Middle Name: Enter middle names in the “First Name” field exactly as they appear in the passport.
• Special Characters: Names with special characters (such as hyphens or accents) should be entered without these characters.

Name Display on Ticket: It is common for names to appear joined together on the ticket, even if entered separately during booking. For example, if you enter “Mr. Luice Mark Park,” the ticket may show “Park/Luice Mark.”

How to Change the Passenger Name on the Ethiopian Airlines Ticket?

According to Ethiopian Airlines’ name change policy, you can request a name change online, via call, as well as at the airport. Below is the complete step-by-step guide for each method provided:

Online Request Form

Ethiopian Airlines provides an online request form for name changes. This option lets you submit your correction directly through their website, as follows:

• Visit the Ethiopian Airlines name change request form.
• Scroll down and enter your 13-digit booking reference number and email address.
• Provide the justifiable legal document for name change (file size must be less than 3 MB).
• Click on “Submit”.
• Once the request is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email.

Ethiopian Customer Service

You can also contact Ethiopian Airlines customer service team to request for a name change, especially when it’s urgent/immediate, like in legal cases. Here is how you can approach:

• Call Ethiopian Airlines customer service at 08000401687.
• Provide your booking reference number and personal details to the representative.
• Explain the reason for the name change or correction needed.
• The representative will guide you through the process and inform you of any fees.
• Once the process is done, the representative will inform you.

Follow any additional instructions, such as sending relevant documents such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree (in case of legal name change).

At the Airport

To request a name change with Ethiopian Airlines at the airport, arrive early to ensure your request is processed before departure. And, follow the given steps:

• Locate the customer service desk at the airport.
• Present your booking reference and personal government-issued ID ready for verification.
• Request the name change or correction.
• Complete any necessary forms and provide supporting documents if needed.
• The agent will guide you through the complete process.

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Ethiopian Airlines Name Change Fee

If you need to reissue your Ethiopian Airlines ticket because of a name change exceeding three characters or a legal name change due to marriage, divorce, or adoption, the fee will generally match the cost of changing your flight.

• Ethiopian Airlines charges a name change fee, varying based on the type and timing of the request.
• If you provide valid documents, such as a marriage certificate or passport, a service fee of USD 50.00 applies.
• Ethiopian Airlines might not charge any fee for minor name corrections or corrections of up to 3 characters.

Ethiopian Airlines has a simple process & policy to manage your bookings, including the name change/correction. If you need to make changes, follow the instructions and update your details as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.

Frequently Asked Questions