Spain: advance passenger information

P. Breathnach

I recently booked flights to Madrid with Aer Lingus. The booking procedure was the same as for any other flight to a European destination.

I am aware that Spain requires some advance information, so I did some digging and figured out how to deal with it (use the "Manage your Booking" option on the AL site).

But I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't done that, and turned up at the airport with just passport and flight reference number. Would I have been allowed board? Would I have some hassle at the airport in Madrid? Has anybody here been in that situation?

Berty

You can provide it at the airport BUT they recommend you add it in advance because it speeds things up at the airports.

The US have been doing this for years as well and no hiccups so far for most travellers.

There will always be a few who forgot they need to do this. Airlines notify you in advance and ask you to accept the terms and conditions and this API is included in their terms and conditions so no excuses.

The forgetfull ones are usually the ones who will forget their passport, booking reference number and then come home, lose their parking ticket and then forget where they parked their car and then by the time they try to leave the ticket has expired and they must pay again.

Fear not, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, BMI etc etc will just sigh and process the information for you.

Ponster

It wouldn't have been a problem. All they need to know is your passport info. This would have been sent on when you checked-in at the airport had you not filled in the form online.