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uk Travel, documents & being abroad wrong passport number • passport number typo • checked in already • online check-in mistake • advance passenger info wrong • api details incorrect • apis details incorrect • travel profile wrong document • airline app passenger details • manage booking passport details • boarding pass document mismatch • international flight documents • visa linked to passport number • eta mismatch passport number • esta mismatch passport number • airport check-in desk help • travel document error after check-in • passport details not updating

What to do if…
you realise your travel profile saved the wrong passport number and you already checked in

Short answer

Stop trying to “fix the profile” and get the airline to overwrite the passport/APIs details on the booking for this flight using the physical passport you’re travelling with.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t ignore it on an international trip—passport details can be used for advance checks.
  • Don’t cancel and rebook in a rush (that can add fees and create new mismatches).
  • Don’t keep editing your saved “profile” and assume the flight booking updated too.
  • Don’t repeatedly try to re-check-in across devices in a panic; you can create conflicting passenger details.
  • Don’t arrive late—manual fixes are easier when staff have time.

What to do now

  1. Confirm what’s wrong on the actual booking (not just your saved profile).
    In the airline app/website, open the trip and look for Passenger details / travel document / API. Note exactly what’s wrong (one digit? wrong passport entirely?).

  2. Try the airline’s official “Manage booking” edit (if it’s available).
    If the trip page lets you edit passport/API details even after check-in, update it there and save a screenshot/confirmation.

  3. If edits are blocked after check-in, stop troubleshooting and contact the airline to update the booking record.
    Use the airline’s official chat/phone and ask them to update the travel document/API details on the reservation. If they confirm they’ve changed it, ask whether your boarding pass needs to be reissued.

  4. Arrive earlier than usual and go to a staffed desk even if you already have a boarding pass.
    Ask the agent to update/verify the passport details (API/APIS) on the booking by scanning/entering the passport you’re travelling with, and to reprint/reissue the boarding pass if needed.

  5. If you rely on an eVisa (digital UK immigration status), check your UKVI account details match the passport you’re using.
    Make sure your UKVI account has your current passport details, and that the passenger information you give the airline matches those details. If something is out of date, update your UKVI account as soon as you can.

  6. If your destination requires a visa/ETA/ESTA-style permission, check whether it’s tied to a passport number.
    If that permission is linked to a different passport number than the passport in your hand, treat that as urgent: you may need to correct or reapply through the destination’s official process as well as fixing the airline record.

What can wait

  • You do not need to perfect your saved travel profile today—your priority is the reservation record for this flight.
  • You do not need to argue with the app if it blocks edits—move to airline support or a staffed desk.
  • You do not need to make complaints or chase compensation today—focus only on getting the booking aligned to the correct passport.

Important reassurance

This is a common mistake (autofill, old passport saved, one digit wrong). Airlines routinely check travel documents again at the airport for international travel, and staff can often correct the booking record when they see your passport.

Scope note

These are first steps only to stabilise the travel-day issue and reduce the chance of denial at the gate. Airline rules and entry requirements vary by route and destination.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. If you have complex immigration status or you’re denied boarding, rely on the airline’s official support and the relevant official government guidance for your route.

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