Passenger name guide
Show the passenger name so it is easy to spot
The passenger may only glance at the sign while walking through arrivals. Use the form of their name they will recognize immediately.
Quick answer
For friends and family, use the familiar first name or nickname. For professional pickups, use the booking name or title and surname, with the hotel or company on a smaller second line when needed.
Use the name the passenger will look for
Use a first name or nickname for friends and family. For a professional pickup, use the surname, title, or exact booking name.
If two people share the same surname, add a first initial or another short detail that distinguishes them instead of shrinking the entire sign.
- Personal: ANNA
- Professional: MR. WILSON
- Group: THE SMITH FAMILY
- Company guest: M. CHEN · NORTHSTAR
Keep extra information on a smaller second line
A hotel, company, conference, or transfer-service name can tell the passenger who is meeting them, but it should never compete with the passenger name.
Use a second line only when it reduces ambiguity. Flight numbers and phone numbers are usually better kept in your booking notes.
Respect scripts, accents, and name order
Copy the spelling from the booking and preserve accents. When meeting an international traveler, ask which name form they expect to see.
If the passenger uses a non-Latin script, show that version prominently. Add a smaller Latin transliteration only when the driver also needs it.
Practical questions
Airport pickup sign FAQ
Should an airport pickup sign use a first name or surname?
Use the name the passenger expects. First names suit personal pickups; surnames or title plus surname are clearer for professional pickups.
Should I include the flight number?
Usually not on the visible sign. Keep the flight number in your booking notes unless it is essential for distinguishing a group.
Can I show two languages?
Yes. Keep one version dominant and use the second only if both remain large enough to read quickly.