This may be of interest to UK based readers, although perhaps this'rule' extends world wide. In this months edition of 'Which' magazine, (a UK consumer subscription magazine) is an interesting piece regarding BA. It would seem that a passenger,a Mrs W could not travel due to illness. She asked that her ticket be changed to her husband, Mr W. BA refused. It would however, appear that from last October, a new, fairer, airline industry contract was announced by the Office of Fair Trading., which entitles a passenger,who is unable to travel due to circumstances outside of his/her control, the right to a credit note,against any purchased ticket.. (I assume an MCO),..This can be used to purchase a ticket for anybody else. BA however, would appear to have said No, to this, the original passenger only. 'Which' have complained to the OFT, and BA have agreed that name changes are, in fact, allowed.....it is not clear whether they will just endorse the ticket or whether you have to go through the credit note routine, but I for one did not know that I could get my ticket changed to somebody else this way. Hope this helps someone out there.