Airline passport rules: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI and BA
Airlines check your passport before you board, so their rules matter as much as the destination's. We've checked what each of the main UK airlines says on its own website, as of 14 October 2026.
RyanaireasyJetJet2TUI AirwaysBritish Airways
Ryanair
- Passport rule
- For the EU and Schengen area, your passport must be issued within the previous 10 years on the day you arrive, and valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave. This matches GOV.UK.
- Names on tickets
- First name and surname on the booking must match your passport. Middle names aren't needed. Up to 3 letters per name can be corrected free once, up to 48 hours before departure. A full name change costs £115 online (£160 through an agent).
- Recently married
- If you've married and your passport is in your new or old name, Ryanair says it will change the booking free with a copy of your marriage certificate.
- Also
- Ryanair doesn't accept a driving licence or birth certificate as ID for travel abroad.
easyJet
- Passport rule
- For the EU, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave, and no more than 10 years old on the date you travel there.
- Names on tickets
- Your full name must match your ID, including middle names. Spelling mistakes of up to 3 letters per name can be corrected free online. A name change costs £60 online or £65 through customer services.
- Also
- easyJet is online check-in only, and asks for photo ID at bag drop and at the gate, including on UK domestic flights.
Jet2
- Passport rule
- Jet2holidays says your passport must be less than 10 years old (from the date of issue) on the day you arrive in the EU, and valid for at least 3 months on the day you leave.
- Names on tickets
- The name must exactly match the first name and surname on your passport. Genuine spelling errors can be corrected without charge. One name change per booking costs £40 per person, per one-way flight.
- Also
- You can't travel on a damaged passport.
TUI Airways
- Passport rule
- Your passport must be no older than 10 years on the day you enter your destination and have at least 3 months left on the day you leave. TUI says it "only follows official government guidelines".
- Names on tickets
- Spelling corrections are free as long as it isn't a change of passenger. A name change costs £50 per person, per booking.
British Airways
- Passport rule
- For the EU and Schengen area, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter. For other countries it must be valid for the required time, often 3 or 6 months after you leave.
- Names on tickets
- The name on your ticket must match your passport. BA doesn't charge to correct a name, but you pay any difference in taxes and charges. Updating your Advance Passenger Information doesn't correct the ticket.
If you're refused with a valid passport
Ground staff have occasionally applied rules that don't exist, such as a "9 years and 9 months" limit. Airlines including easyJet and British Airways have since admitted errors and paid compensation. If it happens to you, ask for a supervisor, show the GOV.UK rule, and get the reason in writing. Read denied boarding with a valid passport: your rights.
Frequently asked questions
Can an airline make up its own passport rules?
Airlines set conditions of carriage, but for the EU the major UK airlines now follow the GOV.UK rule: issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and valid for 3 months after you leave. There is no "9 years and 9 months" rule. If staff refuse a valid passport, you may be entitled to compensation.
Do middle names need to be on my plane ticket?
It depends on the airline. easyJet asks for your full name including middle names; Ryanair only needs your first name and surname to match. If in doubt, book exactly as your passport shows.
Will I get a refund if I'm refused boarding because of my passport?
Usually not, if your passport really didn't meet the rules: airlines' terms generally say they won't refund flights you can't use because of your documents. If your passport was valid and staff got it wrong, you may be entitled to compensation and a refund.
Airline fees and rules can change; check your airline's page before you travel. Related: cruise line passport rules · changing the name on your passport.