Can I Put My Name on an Aeroplane?

Introduction

The age-old question of whether you can put your name on an aeroplane often stems from a misunderstanding about the nature of airline tickets and aircraft registration. While it is possible to include your name on an aircraft in certain circumstances, it is generally not feasible for regular passengers to do so.

Can I Change My Name on a Ticket?

No, you cannot typically put your name on a plane via a ticket. After September 11, 2001, airlines implemented stricter security measures and policies, which tightened the process of changing names on bookings. Unless you have a specific policy during special circumstances, like the extreme measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, changing your name on a ticket requires canceling, refunding (if applicable), and reissuing a new ticket. This process can be very cumbersome.

If you only want to change a minor name typo or misspelling, like switching “Miss Fanny Featherbottom” to “Miss Fanny Featherbotham,” you might be able to do this with a name change fee. However, the change is usually limited to a few characters. For example, you cannot change your name from “Miss Fanny Featherbottom” to “Dr Dick Pimples” by making successive 3-letter changes.

Changing an Aircraft’s Name

If you are interested in officially putting your name on an aeroplane, you must consider the process of aircraft registration and ownership. There are a few scenarios where this might be possible:

Own the plane: If you own the aircraft, you can register it in your name, which will appear on the registration certificate. However, the aircraft's model and make will remain the same. Designate a custom aircraft name: To “baptize” a particular design or model of aircraft in your name, you would need to be the designer, kit provider, or manufacturer. Historical examples include the original "Wright Flyer," the classic "Wittman Tailwind," or modern aircraft like the "Rutan Long-EZ."

Conclusion

In summary, the ability to place your name on an aeroplane depends on whether you are an owner, designer, or manufacturer of the aircraft. For the vast majority of air travelers, changing a name on a ticket is not an option. However, if you own or manufacture an aircraft, you can indeed have your name associated with it.