Traveling by air involves more than just booking a ticket. Ensuring that every detail on your booking matches your official identification documents is crucial, especially when flying internationally. Among the common concerns faced by passengers is the formatting and handling of names, particularly when dealing with airlines that follow strict guidelines for security and immigration compliance. One such case involves Air India’s Last Name Policy, which has garnered attention from travelers due to its specific rules regarding how passenger names must be entered during booking. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Air India’s Last Name Policy, what it means for travelers, how it can impact your travel plans, and what steps to take if you find yourself affected by name-related issues.

What Is the Air India Last Name Policy?

Air India, like many international airlines, follows naming conventions in line with global aviation standards set by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and immigration regulations in different countries. One of the key aspects of these standards is the requirement for both a first name and a last name when booking a flight. If a passenger’s name is not entered correctly—particularly if the last name is missing or merged incorrectly—it can lead to problems at various points during the journey, from online check-in to immigration control.

Key Points of the Policy:

1. Both First and Last Names Are Mandatory: When booking an Air India ticket, the system requires both a first name (given name) and a last name (surname/family name).

2. Single-Name Passengers Must Adjust Input: Travelers who do not have a traditional last name (common in some cultures, including India, Indonesia, and parts of the Middle East) must follow specific guidelines.

3. Mismatched Names Can Lead to Denied Boarding: If the name on the ticket does not match the passport exactly, boarding may be denied.

4. No Changes Allowed After Booking (in Some Cases): Once the booking is made, changes to the name are generally not allowed unless under very specific circumstances.

1. Passengers with Only One Name (Mononyms)

In many cultures, people may have only one name. For example, a person named "Raj" with no family name might enter just "Raj" when booking. However, Air India’s system—and international aviation systems in general—do not always accept a single name entry. This can cause technical errors or flag the booking as incomplete.

Solution: If you have only one name, it is often recommended to enter your name twice, e.g., "Raj" as both the first name and last name (Raj/Raj), or to use a placeholder like "LNU" (Last Name Unknown), though Air India does not officially endorse such placeholders.

2. Name Mismatch Between Ticket and Passport

A common issue arises when the name entered on the ticket does not match the name as written on the passport. For instance, entering “S Singh” instead of “Sukhdev Singh” or using initials instead of full names may be problematic.

Tip: Always ensure that the name entered during booking matches the name on the passport exactly—including middle names if they appear on your passport.

3. Merging Names in the Wrong Fields

Another problem occurs when passengers enter their full name in the first name field or vice versa. For example:

1. Entering “Anita Sharma” as the first name and leaving the last name blank.

2. Putting “Anita” as the last name and “Sharma” as the first.

These formatting issues can create confusion during check-in or even lead to denial at immigration.

Travel forums and complaint boards are filled with stories of passengers facing difficulties due to Air India’s last name policy. Here are some examples:

1. Case 1: Denied Boarding in Dubai
   A passenger with a single name, "Aman", was denied boarding at the Dubai airport because their ticket only had one name, which did not match international travel requirements. The passenger had to book a new ticket using a modified name format to fly.

2. Case 2: Trouble with U.S. Immigration
   An Indian traveler flying to the U.S. with Air India had entered their first and middle names as one field and omitted the last name. Upon arrival, U.S. Customs flagged the traveler, causing delays and questioning.

3. Case 3: Inability to Check In Online
   Several travelers report being unable to use Air India's online check-in feature because the system didn’t recognize their single-name format or had inconsistent name segmentation from what appeared on their ID.

These examples underline how critical it is to follow Air India’s name format rules carefully.

1. Names must be entered exactly as they appear on the passport.

2. Tickets with incorrect name formats are considered invalid.

3. Name corrections are not always permitted, especially if a visa has already been issued or if the change is deemed substantial.

4. Minor typographical errors may be corrected through Air India’s customer service—typically up to three characters—but full name changes usually require ticket reissuance (at a cost).

Here’s how to avoid trouble when entering your name while booking:

Match Passport Exactly

Double-check the name field on your passport. If it says:

1. Given Name: Rajesh Kumar

2. Surname: Sharma
   Then enter:

3. First Name: Rajesh Kumar

4. Last Name: Sharma

For Single-Name Passengers

If your passport has only one name, try the following (based on reported successful strategies):

1. First Name: FNU (First Name Unknown)

2. Last Name: Your actual name
   OR

3. First Name: Your name

4. Last Name: LNU (Last Name Unknown)

Contact Customer Support for Help

If unsure, call Air India’s customer support or visit their local office to get confirmation before booking.

If you discover an error in your name after booking:

1. Contact Air India Immediately: The sooner you act, the better your chances. Use the official Air India contact number or visit the nearest office.

2. Request a Name Correction: Be prepared to provide a passport copy. Minor corrections may be allowed.

3. Consider Rebooking: In cases of major name mismatches, you may need to cancel and rebook the ticket, potentially incurring fees.

4. Inform Immigration/Visa Office: If your visa was issued based on the incorrect name, inform the issuing authority and follow their correction procedures.

Compared to other international carriers, Air India’s name policies are comparable, though sometimes less flexible when it comes to post-booking name corrections. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines also follow strict naming conventions, but some offer online name correction tools or more lenient customer service policies.

That said, Air India is not unique in enforcing the last name requirement. It reflects broader aviation security standards rather than a company-specific quirk.

Conclusion

The Air India Last Name Policy is a critical aspect of international travel that many passengers overlook—until they face problems. Whether you have a single name, a compound surname, or a cultural naming variation, it is essential to enter your name during booking exactly as shown on your passport. While Air India may not offer the most flexible name correction policies, careful attention to detail when booking can save time, stress, and money. If you're ever in doubt, it’s always best to consult Air India or a travel agent before confirming your reservation.