Advanced Passenger Information

Mrs Doubtfire

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 27, 2006

• Dec 3, 2016

• #1

Following the recent changes to VA, my API disappeared, and I couldn't see anywhere to put it in again. I spoke to Virgin flying club and the woman who answered said it wasn't required anymore? Anybody got any ideas or flown recently who knows.

 

DisFanJen

Disney Phreak

Joined

Sep 3, 2011

• Dec 4, 2016

• #2

This is just supposition as I don't have any inside knowledge but I would have thought that as ESTAs have to be done at least 72 hours prior to travel that they count as advanced passenger information as well, hence them not needing it from the airlines.

All the airline has to pass them is name and passport number, they link this to the ESTA, and done.

 

Mrs Doubtfire

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 27, 2006

• Dec 4, 2016

• #3

That's a good theory, I never thought of that.

 

saintrob

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 29, 2012

• Dec 4, 2016

• #4

You can store your passport information in your flying club profile. A few people on v flyer have said that the first night destination is still required as API information but can only be done at check in.

 

Mrs Doubtfire

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 27, 2006

• Dec 4, 2016

• #5

Ok thanks for the reply, I will look at me flying club account but to be honest, when I tried to put in contact details it just kept giving me an error message, so I gave up

 

L

Lucys dad

Mouseketeer

Joined

Sep 1, 2010

• Dec 5, 2016

• #6

I wondered the same, just booked Virgin flights for 2017 and the API did not appear to be required on the VA website. It certainly did last year. I agree it does appear to simply duplicate the ESTA information.

 

Elise79

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 17, 2006

• Dec 5, 2016

• #7

API will still be required as not everyone travels on an ESTA also the first night address is not a requirement on the ESTA as you can put Unknown and not update

 

Mrs Doubtfire

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 27, 2006

• Dec 5, 2016

• #8

So is this just done when checking in Elise?

 

Elise79

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 17, 2006

• Dec 6, 2016

• #9

Mrs Doubtfire said:

So is this just done when checking in Elise?

Click to expand...

I will let you know on Sunday when I check in for our Monday flight.

 

Mrs Doubtfire

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 27, 2006

• Dec 6, 2016

• #10

Thanks a lot

 

chmurf

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 30, 2011

• Dec 8, 2016

• #11

API is required for all passengers, regardless of their status.

There are 3 ways you can submit API information

1. Anytime after you booked, if your airline offers that feature (apparently VA has taken it off its website ...)

2. During Online Check in. That's the part in online check in where you provide passport number and other bio info. (Online check in is merely verifying/submitting your API info, AND securing your seat)

3. At the airport when you check in, if you haven't done Online Check in.

There is no requirement to do it weeks or months prior. You will eventually need to provide the mandatory information during the check in process, wether it be online or at the check in desk.

 

Mrs Doubtfire

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 27, 2006

• Dec 8, 2016

• #12

Thanks chmurf. Haven't seen you around for a while on the UK boards, but it has been pretty quiet.

 

Elise79

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 17, 2006

• Dec 11, 2016

• #13

Ok - checked in for our flight tomorrow and API is still required and you enter it as part of check in.

It had retained the passport information I had previously entered but not the address. Only requires street address, City and state.

 

Mrs Doubtfire

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 27, 2006

• Dec 11, 2016

• #14

Thanks for the update Elise

This must mean you are off soon, so have a great a holiday.