score:8
My passport was delivered today and the passport application locator number was not the same as the passport number.
That said, 2 of my bookings which required my passport number (SKY Airlines and BUQUEBUS ferry ride) could not modify the passport number through their online UI and I'll have to contact their customer service to update.
Upvote:6
Normally, airlines don't need your passport data when buying the ticket. There should be an option to bypass that input.
If not, enter the locator number or all zeros, and come back later and edit it (go to the airlines web site, enter your booking code and last name, and change your passport data, change your seat, order special meals, etc - depending on your booking class; but entering passport should be always possible (of course I haven't flown all airlines in the world, but about forty, some from Russia, India, Peru, China, and all over western and eastern Europe and North America - it was always possible to enter / change the passport data later.
It needs to be correct when you check-in, be it online or at the counter. After that, it would be more effort to change it.