Why can't air tickets just accept only the passport number without any names? [closed]

Why can't air tickets just accept only the passport number without any names? [closed] - Blue Luggage with Folded Clothes

recently I had a booking and my name being so long, one thing lead to another and the operators had to make changes in the booking. That lead me to this question. I've also seen many posts all over travel forums about first name issues, middle name issues, name not matching the passport etc etc. This name issue is pretty mess to me all the time because my name overflows.

I kind of feel like putting too much weight on name match on flight tickets can be reduced if we can verify a person by just the passport number (Or travel document number) and cutting off name completely. I find couple of advantages for using a number without using names.

Passport/Travel document number is a single unique key for every person. Customers need not to worry about filling multiple names and reduce errors. Names can be same for two customers. I know this is a small one but it will reduce usage of ink if the names are omitted on a ticket and only the passport number is printed.

Is there any legal aspect for this? Or is it a traditional thing coming along since the beginning of air travel and hard or too late to change?



Best Answer

What would you do if your passport were lost or stolen between the time you made the booking and the flight, of if you had to replace it for another reason?

Passport/Travel document number is a single unique key for every person.

That is not correct. The number is supposed to identify the document uniquely, so each person may have several passport numbers over the course of his or her lifetime.




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Does ticket name have to match passport?

Answer: As part of the TSA's Secure Flight Program, the names on airline tickets must match the name on passports.

Do they check name on the ticket?

When the TSA agent checks your boarding pass, they are also checking your Secure Flight passenger data. Even though your boarding pass may not match your government-issued ID (i.e. your middle name is not on it), if your passenger information is correct, there will not be a problem.

Does plane ticket have to match ID?

Can I travel under an incorrect name? Definitely not. Under the Transportation Security Administration's (T.S.A.) rules, the name on the boarding pass must match the passenger's government-issued ID.

Do airline tickets need your middle name?

Interestingly enough, your airline ticket, however, does not require a middle name. Passengers are able to clear security without including their middle name on their ticket because the Secure Flight passenger information matches their airline profile or the information on their ticket.



Liz Phair - Why Can't I? (Official Video)




More answers regarding why can't air tickets just accept only the passport number without any names? [closed]

Answer 2

Airlines have two reasions why they want to know their customer:

  • They want to know with whom they are entering contracts. A person who has been disruptive before might have a new passport with a new number.
  • Destination states insist on being told in advance, and they will fine airlines which fail to cooperate.

Among other things, APIS demands the full name, so it would be pointless to use anything less for internal purposes.

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