Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Are middle names required on all plane tickets?

Are middle names required on all plane tickets?

Old Sep 27th, 2004, 07:33 AM
  #1  
P_M
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 24,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are middle names required on all plane tickets?

I recently booked a ticket on BA and they asked for my middle name. They said that because of heightened security they now require all names on the passport. I have no objection to providing this information, but I was wondering if this is now standard in the industry, or is this just BA's requirement?
P_M is online now  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 07:41 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I believe the requirement is that the name on the ticket exactly matches the name on the passport. If the middle name is on one, it should also be on the other. If not, not.
elaine is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 07:47 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My middle name is on my passport, but I've never used my middle name on a ticket, and have never had a problem.
almesq is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 07:47 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I wonder if this is just a BA thing (and a new one, at that). Haven't had this on any other European airline in the last few months. Last month I even travelled to Italy on Easyjet with my first name listed as Kate, when my actual first name is Catherine (my stupid partner, who booked the tickets, always forgets my real name. Bad sign??). Wasn't even questioned.
Kate is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 07:52 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I still think that a lot of this security stuff is for naught.

My favorite story is that on a recent trip (at the start of the year?), I got a boarding card and I didn't check it. I went through security twice (they moved the gate). When I got on, this woman had the same seat I did. So I thought, ok, no big deal. We called a flight attendant over -- it turns out the agent who checked me in gave me the woman's boarding card.

Weird, isn't it? No one realized this. And I'm pretty sure my name is nowhere close to hers.

111op is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 07:53 AM
  #6  
P_M
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 24,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hmmm, it sounds like this is a new requirement only from BA. For years I have flown BA using only my first and last name, but they made it sound like it's really important to have all names. I have no problem with it, but I just wondered if this is a new airline regulation I have not yet heard of. Apparently it's just BA.

That is weird, 111op, and a bit scary.
P_M is online now  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 07:59 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, P_M. I remain convinced that it's not that difficult for terrorists to thwart security. And this was an international flight, which you think would have been subject to tighter screening. I was also surprised that they could check the same person in twice -- fortunately I had no bags to check. It would have been a nightmare otherwise, I bet.
111op is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 08:47 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm in big trouble! I don't have a middle name.
SusieQQ is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 09:18 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Maybe it's a BA thing, I've flown in past 6 months and didn't do that. I don't think I ever have as my name is too long already and never is printed out in total on tickets, etc -- if I added my middle name, it would be worse (which I suppose they never thought of). My last name has 9 letters, then Christina Jane..... well, wouldn't work, on my last ticket, they only printed out Christi or something.

I think BA is nuts, but perhaps I have not thought of the major security ramifications of this that could conceivably make sense. However, if you are flying under a fake or stolen passport/name, I think you can have enough IQ to also give them the middle name on the passport if they ask. I don't get this at all, but as I said, maybe it's because I'm not in the security biz. It would make more sense if they really examined your photo and made sure the passport didn't look doctored, it seems to me.

Christina is online now  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 09:21 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have three first names and a surename from which I just take the main part as it is much too long for every computer and this was ok for my eight flys this year, some with BA!
Londonholly is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 10:47 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I recently had Czech Airlines tell me that the passport name had to exactly match the ticket name.
elaine is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 11:04 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think that must be a BA thing. I just returned from Italy last week, our tickets had just our first and last names, no middle names at all. They check the passport along with the ticket so verification of identity has not been a problem.
Huitres is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 11:36 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
HUH? I don't even have a middle name, not on social security card, not on the passport, never had a problem with that.
FainaAgain is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 11:59 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Add me to the group that has a middle name which is clearly stated on my passport, but I've never ever used a middle name on any plane ticket. No one has ever batted at eye at it.
Patrick is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2004, 12:15 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
airlines just want name on passaports to match name on tickets. no big deals
...
miguelgcuadra is offline  
Old Sep 28th, 2004, 02:48 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use both my first and middle names, but it always appears as first name, middle initial on tickets.

The only time I ever had a problem is when some moron at BA put a "Mr" in front of my name. The guy at security wasn't going to let me through, until his supervisor decided to exercise some judgment.
Ann41 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
melville44
Air Travel
7
Jun 8th, 2016 11:56 AM
dzifa1
Africa & the Middle East
4
Nov 28th, 2015 03:46 PM
RHBrock
Europe
11
Dec 2nd, 2006 08:18 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -