Lufthansa generally does not allow you to transfer a ticket from one passenger to another, and its normal online flight-change process does not let you change the passenger name. However, certain genuine name corrections or legal name changes may be possible, depending on the ticket and circumstances. Lufthansa’s current tariff specifically states that name changes for certain totally unused Lufthansa-issued documents may be permitted free of charge for legal reasons such as marriage or divorce when appropriate supporting documents are provided.
If you notice a spelling mistake, a mismatch with your passport, or a legal name change after booking, do not wait until you arrive at the airport. Contact Lufthansa or the travel agency that issued your ticket as early as possible and ask whether the request qualifies as a name correction rather than a passenger transfer.
What Is the Lufthansa Name Change Policy?
The most important point is that a Lufthansa ticket belongs to the passenger named on the ticket.
Lufthansa’s current Conditions of Carriage say that carriage is provided to the passenger named on a confirmed ticket and that tickets are not transferable. Lufthansa also states that it can refuse carriage if the passenger cannot establish that they are the person named on the ticket.
That means you generally cannot buy a Lufthansa ticket for yourself and later replace your name with a completely different traveller’s name.
There is an important distinction between:
- Name correction: Fixing an error in the passenger’s name.
- Legal name change: Updating the name because of a legitimate legal event, such as marriage or divorce.
- Passenger transfer: Giving your ticket to another person.
The first two may be handled under applicable Lufthansa rules. The third is generally not permitted.
Is a Lufthansa ticket name change the same as a correction?
No.
A Lufthansa ticket name correction is intended to make the ticket accurately identify the same traveller. A passenger transfer would replace the original traveller with another person.
For example:
Potential correction:
Your passport says “Michael Smith,” but the reservation contains a typographical error.
Potential legal change:
Your legal surname changed after marriage and your travel documents now show the new name.
Not a normal correction:
You purchased a ticket but now want your friend or colleague to use it.
The last situation is a transfer to a different passenger and is generally prohibited under Lufthansa’s Conditions of Carriage.
What Lufthansa Allows
Lufthansa’s rules can allow certain name-related changes, but eligibility matters.
1. Genuine spelling or data errors
If the name on your booking contains an error, contact Lufthansa or the issuing travel agency and explain exactly what is wrong.
Do not assume that every typo has the same procedure or price. The airline or ticketing agent needs to determine whether the request qualifies as a correction under the applicable fare and ticketing rules.
2. Legal name changes
Lufthansa’s published tariff provides an important exception for certain Lufthansa-issued documents that are totally unused.
The current Lufthansa tariff states that name changes may be permitted free of charge for legal name changes, such as marriage or divorce, when supporting and eligible documentation is presented. Examples given by Lufthansa include documentation such as a passport and/or marriage certificate.
This does not mean every Lufthansa booking automatically qualifies for a free name change. The specific ticket and circumstances still need to be checked.
3. Bookings that have not yet been ticketed
Some booking situations can be easier to correct before the ticket is issued.
This is especially relevant for group bookings. Lufthansa’s published group terms, for example, state that names can be changed free of charge before tickets are issued. After ticket issuance, group name changes may carry a fee, while certain name corrections remain free.
Group-booking rules should not automatically be applied to an ordinary individual reservation.
4. Requests handled through the appropriate channel
If Lufthansa’s online tools do not provide a name-correction option, you may need assistance from Lufthansa’s Service Centre or the travel agency that issued the ticket.
Lufthansa’s current booking-help pages direct customers toward the Service Centre for assistance with bookings that require additional support.
What Lufthansa Does Not Allow
Understanding the restrictions can save you from paying for a new ticket unnecessarily.
You generally cannot transfer the ticket to another person
Lufthansa’s Conditions of Carriage state that tickets are not transferable.
So, for example, this is normally not treated as a simple correction:
“I cannot travel anymore. Can I replace my name with my brother’s name?”
That is a passenger transfer rather than a correction.
You cannot change the passenger name through normal online rebooking
Lufthansa’s current flight-change page explicitly says that rebooking can change flight details, but passenger names cannot be changed as part of the rebooking process.
Changing the travel date and correcting a passenger name are therefore two different processes.
You should not assume a name change is covered by the normal flight-change fee
A flight-change fee relates to changing your itinerary under the applicable fare conditions.
A name correction or name-related ticketing request may have different rules.
Lufthansa explains that voluntary rebooking may involve a change fee and/or a fare difference, depending on the fare and the new flight, but that process does not itself change passenger names.
How to Request a Lufthansa Name Correction
If your Lufthansa ticket contains a name problem, follow these steps.
Step 1: Check the exact name on your ticket
Compare the reservation with the passenger’s current passport or other applicable travel document.
Check:
- First name
- Middle name, if applicable
- Last name
- Spelling
- Order of names
- Any legal name change
Do not make assumptions based only on how the name appears in an email. Check the actual passenger and ticket information.
Step 2: Determine what type of change you need
Ask yourself:
Is this a typo?
It may be a correction request.
Did your legal name change?
It may qualify as a legal name-change request, subject to the applicable Lufthansa rules and documentation.
Do you want another person to travel instead?
That is a passenger transfer and is generally not permitted.
Step 3: Contact the ticket issuer
If you purchased directly from Lufthansa, contact Lufthansa through its official customer-service channels.
If you purchased through a travel agency or online travel agency, contact the agency first.
This is important because the agency that issued the ticket may need to process the ticketing request.
Lufthansa’s customer-relations information also says that customers who purchased tickets through a travel agency should contact the travel agent for matters the agency is responsible for processing.
Step 4: Explain the correction clearly
Tell the agent:
- What name is currently on the reservation
- What the correct name should be
- Why the name needs to be corrected
- Whether the ticket has already been issued
- Whether the ticket is completely unused
- Whether the name change is related to marriage, divorce, or another legal reason
Clear information can help the agent determine the correct procedure.
Step 5: Provide supporting documents if requested
For a legal name change, Lufthansa’s tariff specifically refers to supporting documentation, including examples such as a passport and marriage certificate.
Provide documents only through Lufthansa or the authorized agency’s official channels.
Step 6: Confirm the corrected ticket
Do not assume that a verbal approval means the ticket has already been updated.
Before travelling, check that:
- The reservation shows the correct passenger information.
- The ticket has been reissued or updated if required.
- The passenger name matches the applicable travel document.
- Any required documentation is ready for travel.
How Much Is the Lufthansa Name Change Fee?
There is no single Lufthansa name change fee that applies to every passenger and every ticket.
This is one of the most important points to understand before searching for a fixed price online.
The cost can depend on factors such as:
- Whether you need a correction or a passenger transfer
- Whether the ticket has already been issued
- Whether the ticket is completely unused
- Whether the request is caused by a legal name change
- The applicable ticketing rules
- Whether the booking was made through Lufthansa or an agency
- Whether special or group-booking rules apply
When can the Lufthansa name change fee be zero?
Lufthansa’s current tariff specifically provides that certain legal name changes on entirely unused Lufthansa-issued documents may be made free of charge, provided eligible supporting documentation is presented. Marriage and divorce are examples listed by Lufthansa.
That is different from saying that every typo or every requested name change is free.
Could you be charged for a name change?
Yes, depending on the type of booking and request.
For example, Lufthansa’s group-travel conditions state that group name changes after tickets have been issued may incur a €100 per-passenger name-change fee, while certain name corrections are permitted without charge.
Because those are specifically published group-travel terms, travellers should not automatically assume that €100 is the standard fee for every individual Lufthansa ticket.
What about fare differences?
A fare difference is normally associated with changing the flight rather than simply correcting a passenger name.
Lufthansa explains that when rebooking voluntarily, a more expensive replacement flight may require payment of the fare difference, depending on the applicable fare conditions.
Therefore, if an agent tells you that a new ticket is required rather than a correction being possible, ask for a clear explanation of what amount relates to the name issue and what amount relates to the new fare.
What Documents Are Required?
The documents you need depend on why the name must be changed.
For a straightforward correction, Lufthansa or your ticketing agent may ask for information to verify the passenger’s identity.
For a legal name change, supporting documentation can be particularly important.
Potential documents may include:
- Current passport or other valid identification
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce documentation
- Other official evidence of a legal name change
- Original booking reference
- E-ticket or ticket receipt
Lufthansa’s published tariff specifically mentions a passport and/or marriage certificate as examples of supporting documentation for qualifying legal name changes.
Do not send sensitive documents to an unofficial website or an unverified contact.
Name Correction vs. Name Change vs. Ticket Transfer
These terms are often mixed together, but they can produce very different outcomes.
| Situation | What it means | Likely treatment |
| Typographical error | Correcting the same passenger’s details | May be handled as a correction |
| Legal name change | Passenger legally changed their name | May qualify under applicable rules |
| Wrong passenger entirely | Replacing the traveller | Generally not permitted |
| Date or flight change | Changing travel arrangements | Separate rebooking process |
| Group name change | Changing a group passenger’s name | Group terms may apply |
The safest approach is to describe exactly what happened rather than simply asking for a “name change.”
Important Things to Remember
1. Do not confuse a correction with a transfer
A correction keeps the same traveller. A transfer replaces that traveller with someone else.
2. Check your passport before contacting Lufthansa
Your travel document should be your reference point when identifying a genuine name mismatch.
3. Act before departure
Do not wait until check-in or the airport if you already know that the name is incorrect.
4. Do not rely on a generic fee quoted online
Lufthansa’s rules vary according to the circumstances. A fee mentioned for a group booking, for example, should not automatically be treated as the fee for an individual ticket.
5. Check whether the ticket is completely unused
Lufthansa’s published legal-name-change exception specifically refers to totally unused Lufthansa-issued documents.
6. Keep proof of a legal name change available
If your request follows marriage, divorce, or another legal event, have appropriate documentation available.
7. Contact the agency that issued the ticket
If a travel agency issued your ticket, it may need to handle the ticketing request rather than Lufthansa directly.
8. Verify the corrected booking before travel
After the correction, review the updated reservation and ticket details rather than assuming everything was changed automatically.
Final Thoughts
The Lufthansa name change policy is easier to understand when you separate name correction, legal name change, and passenger transfer.
Lufthansa generally does not allow tickets to be transferred to another passenger, and its normal online rebooking system does not allow passenger names to be changed.
However, certain genuine legal name changes can qualify for special treatment. Lufthansa’s current tariff states that qualifying legal name changes for certain totally unused Lufthansa-issued documents can be made free of charge when the required supporting documents are presented.
So, if you discover a mistake, don’t immediately buy another ticket. First determine whether your situation is a Lufthansa name correction or a prohibited passenger transfer, then contact Lufthansa or the ticket-issuing agency and ask them to review the booking under the applicable rules.
Because airline policies and fare conditions can change, always verify the current conditions that apply to your particular ticket before paying a fee or making a new booking.
FAQs
Does Lufthansa allow name changes on tickets?
Lufthansa generally does not allow a ticket to be transferred from one passenger to another. Certain genuine name corrections and qualifying legal name changes may be possible under the applicable ticketing rules.
What is the Lufthansa name change fee?
There is no single fee that applies to every Lufthansa ticket. The applicable charge depends on the type of request, ticket conditions, and circumstances. Certain qualifying legal name changes on totally unused Lufthansa-issued documents can be free when the required documentation is provided.
Can I change the passenger name through Lufthansa Manage My Booking?
Lufthansa’s standard online rebooking process allows eligible flight details to be changed, but passenger names cannot be changed through it. Name-related requests may require assistance from Lufthansa or the ticket issuer.
Can I transfer my Lufthansa ticket to another person?
Generally, no. Lufthansa’s current Conditions of Carriage state that tickets are not transferable.
Can Lufthansa correct a spelling mistake on my ticket?
A genuine spelling or passenger-information error should be raised with Lufthansa or the agency that issued the ticket. The airline must determine whether the request qualifies as a correction under the applicable ticketing rules.
Is a Lufthansa name correction free?
Not necessarily in every situation. Lufthansa’s current tariff specifically provides a free legal-name-change exception for certain totally unused Lufthansa-issued documents when eligible supporting documents are presented. Other corrections may be subject to different rules.
Can I change my name with Lufthansa after marriage?
A legal name change following marriage may qualify for the legal-name-change provisions. Lufthansa’s tariff lists marriage as an example and states that qualifying changes on certain totally unused LH-issued documents can be made free of charge when appropriate documentation is supplied.
What documents do I need for a legal name change with Lufthansa?
Lufthansa’s tariff gives a passport and/or marriage certificate as examples of supporting documentation for qualifying legal name changes. The exact documents required can depend on the circumstances.
What if I booked Lufthansa through a travel agency?
Start with the travel agency that issued the ticket. Lufthansa’s customer-relations information states that customers who purchased tickets through a travel agency should contact the agency for matters it is responsible for processing.
Can I change my flight and my passenger name at the same time?
A normal Lufthansa flight rebooking can change eligible flight details, but Lufthansa says passenger names cannot be changed as part of that rebooking process. A separate name-related request may therefore be necessary.
