KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — If you’re planning to fly with Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia anytime soon, here’s something you’ll want to double-check before hitting that “Confirm Booking” button: your name.
Both airlines are tightening their name entry rules, now requiring passengers to input their full names exactly as they appear in their official identification documents — be it your passport or national ID card. This move aims to minimize airport check-in headaches and align with international travel standards.
But for many Malaysians and travelers from the region, this update might bring a bit of confusion — and even anxiety.
Take Ahmad Faliq bin Hamedi, for example. He must now enter “Ahmad Faliq” in the First and Middle Name section, and “Bin Hamedi” in the Last Name/Surname section. It’s a seemingly small detail, but one that could prevent you from boarding if entered incorrectly.
Making Names Make Sense — Globally
Malaysia Airlines has already rolled out updated guidelines on their website, helping passengers navigate this new process more smoothly. Meanwhile, AirAsia is taking special care to respect different cultural naming conventions — from Malaysian and Chinese to Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese.
They’ve also highlighted a few new formatting rules:
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No special characters or symbols.
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Replace “@” with a space.
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Leave out “A/P” or “A/L” unless they appear in your passport.
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Hyphens? Replace those with spaces too.
Changing your name on a confirmed ticket to someone else is a no-go. But if you made a small typo or missed a letter? Minor corrections are still allowed.
Passengers Want Better Communication
Not all travellers are finding this change seamless. Businesswoman Faridah Joned wondered if she now needs to update her booking because she didn’t include “binti.” Others, like an AirAsia flyer who goes by Tan, believe the airlines could do a better job in notifying passengers — suggesting an official email would go a long way.
For now, travelers are being advised to double-check airline websites or reach out to customer support before flying — and, most importantly, to make sure their names match their IDs to the letter.
Because when it comes to flying these days, it’s full name or no flight.
