email from Aer Lingus

PokerTony

Booked a flight to US with Aer Lingus a few months ago and got an email from them today stating that Homeland Security wants details from me such as my passport number, visa number, address in US etc. This came as a bit of a suprise to me as i've been to the US many times before but never been asked for such info. Is this normal to get a request like this??

BuffyBot

Yes - it's called Advance Passenger Information, and all airlines are now obliged to collate it from their passengers before take off.

mikedragon32

Came in at the start of the year, I think. I had to do the same. All people travelling under one booking need to have details submitted together.

PokerTony

Ok thanks for clearing it up

Manny7

Does it apply to all passengers, or just all non-US citizen passengers?

BuffyBot

I think so

From aircanada.com's blurb about API.

Following is a list of information required:

1. Full name (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)
2. Gender
3. Date of Birth
4. Nationality
5. Country of residence
6. Travel document type (normally passport)
7. Travel document number (expiry date and country of issue for passport)
8. Destination address in the U.S. (Not required for U.S. nationals, Legal Permanent Residents, or Alien Residents of the U.S. entering the U.S.)

Dellas

APIS (Advanced Passenger Information) is all passport info and info on your first nights accomodation whilst in the states. It must be sent electronically to the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) before an aircraft may leave the ground. If there is someone on the passenger list that is not allowed to enter the USA the INS will alert Dublin or London and they will not be able to fly. A few instances after 9/11 of planes taking off and then a few hours into the flight the INS refused the aircraft permission to enter the USA meant that the airlines faced returning to Dublin or London and loosing a load of money from dumped fuel etc... The USA has now requested that this info be sent before the aircraft takes off so as to limit these instances and other threats.

So when you book a flight online you have to provide this to the airline either online or at check in on the day. The airlines are trying to cut ques at the desks this is why they are trying to get it before you arrive at the airport. It is not compulsary to enter this before you arrive at the airport but it will speed up the check in process.

Our man in Havana

You will be suplying this info to US immigration at Dublin airport anyways so there is no real need for aerlingus to be collecting this info at all.

BuffyBot

You will be suplying this info to US immigration at Dublin airport anyways so there is no real need for aerlingus to be collecting this info at all.

Incorrect. This is completely seperate from the Immigration process. You can decide not to enter it all online, but it will still have to be taken a check-in...which is bound not to impress the check-in agent much.

Our man in Havana

I have travelled recently with them to the USA and this info was not asked for by Aerlingus at all. It was only supplied to US immigration.

Imposter

The OP said he needed to supply his credit card number (and passport info, but the CC one has me baffled)! What's that about? Make sure it is actually the site it purports to be before giving away such information.

Dellas

Well I suppose there are exceptions but did the flight go Via Shannon ?? They should have taken this info at check in as it is required.

BuffyBot

The OP said he needed to supply his credit card number

Travel visa as opposed to credit card visa?

Imposter

BuffyBot wrote:

Travel visa as opposed to credit card visa?

oops