Yes, you can book and pay for the flight. However, you'll need a valid passport in order to check-in, so be sure to leave enough time to receive your new passport. If you don't get your passport in time, you'll lose any money you've paid for your ticket that isn't refundable or lost to change fees.

Yes, you can absolutely purchase an international plane ticket while your passport is being renewed. In 2026, most airline booking systems either allow you to skip the passport information section during checkout or provide a "placeholder" option where you can enter your old passport number and update it later. Airlines only strictly require your valid passport information at the time of online check-in or at the airport counter before departure. Once your new passport arrives, you can simply log into the "Manage Booking" section on the airline's website or app to update your passport number, issuance date, and expiration date. It is critical, however, that the name on your ticket exactly matches the name on your new passport; if you are renewing your passport due to a name change (such as marriage), you should book the ticket in the name that will appear on the new document to avoid a costly "name correction" fee or being denied boarding. Buying early is a smart way to lock in lower fares while waiting for government processing times to conclude.