Can I book two seats under one name and change it later?

No. Airlines strictly prohibit name changes on tickets. If you make a mistake, you will likely have to cancel the ticket and rebook at the current market price.

What if one of us has a higher status than the other?

Book the tickets in one transaction. Use the loyalty number of the person with the higher status in the booking; this often grants priority boarding or extra baggage allowances for the entire party on the same PNR.

Booking International Flights for Two People

Booking for two requires synchronized passenger details and strict adherence to name-matching rules on passports. Always search for two seats at once to ensure availability, as booking separately risks one person getting a different fare class or a sold-out flight.

Verify passport details. Before touching a keyboard, pull out both passports. Ensure names match exactly what is printed on the data page. Even a missing middle name or a hyphen can cause issues at check-in or security.
Use an aggregator for the initial search. Use Google Flights or ITA Matrix to identify the best routes and prices. Set the traveler count to '2' immediately so the algorithm doesn't show you 'single seat remaining' fares that you can't actually purchase.
Book directly with the airline. Once you find the flights, go to the airline's official website. Booking directly makes it infinitely easier to change dates, resolve seat assignment issues, or manage cancellations compared to using a third-party OTA (Online Travel Agency).
Confirm seat assignments immediately. After payment, log into the 'Manage Booking' section. Select your seats immediately. If you are flying long-haul, do not assume you will be sat together by the gate agent; pay the fee or use your loyalty status to lock in side-by-side seating.
Cross-reference booking references. Ensure both passengers appear under the same PNR (Passenger Name Record). If you have two different confirmation codes, you are not linked in the airline's system, which complicates seat selection and baggage allowance.

Can I book two seats under one name and change it later?: No. Airlines strictly prohibit name changes on tickets. If you make a mistake, you will likely have to cancel the ticket and rebook at the current market price.
What if one of us has a higher status than the other?: Book the tickets in one transaction. Use the loyalty number of the person with the higher status in the booking; this often grants priority boarding or extra baggage allowances for the entire party on the same PNR.