Advanced Passenger Info: USA with Delta

whatmichaelsays

Hopefully this is a quick and simple one....

I'm booked to fly from LHR to New York with Delta Airlines in November. I've got all the bookings, ESTA and all that stuff but I'm told that I am also required to give my details in advance, separately, to the airline under the API system.

I don't think I gave my passport details to Expedia when I booked the flights (although I got the ESTA at the same time so I may well have done) and looking at itineraries on both the Expedia and Delta sites, there doesn't seem to be anywhere apparent to submit this info. Delta does have a place to put my emergency contact info, hotel address info, etc but I can't find anything specifically for API.

So, am I looking in the wrong place? Am I looking too early? Does the ESTA now negate the need for API?

ferf1223

you can enter the information on the airline's website, normally. If you go to Delta's website, My Trips, enter your confirmation number and name and (in theory) you'll find the option there.

ESTA does not negate the need for API.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Foreigntravel/AirTravel/DG_176737

Sorry, just reread and it seems you've already logged into Delta's site. The airlines I've used recently all make it very obvious if you haven't filled in your API details...so perhaps you already have. You could call Delta to ask if you can't see where to enter it, but I would think that there would be a place to view the information you've previously entered - there is on other airline's websites at least.

Wait - have you read this:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/online_reservations/about_reservations/secure_flight/index.jsp

If you have an existing reservation and are unsure that it meets the Secure Flight requirements, please access your itinerary now and scroll down to select the “Secure Flight Passenger Data” link on the right side of the page. Then, submit your information as it appears on your non-expired government-issued photo ID. Please note that the name that you provide does not have to exactly match the name on your ticket or SkyMiles account.

whatmichaelsays

To comicate things, I found the TSA section to fill in but that didn't ask for a passport number, which I suspect would be required.

I plan on giving the airline / Expedia a buzz anyway but I'll just check on here beforehand!

whatmichaelsays

I'll bump this up one last time. Help massively appreciated.

ajb69

The Secure Passenger Data / TSA part is only for US internal flights (at least, I've only ever been asked for it by Delta for US internal flights). It's certainly not the same thing as API.

It's a while since I last flew Delta from London, but unlike Virgin/BA/everyone else I don't think there is any way of entering it prior to check in. You either enter it when you check in on-line, or if you check in at the airport they swipe your passport into a laptop or kiosk and take all the details down there.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/usawaiver/public/en_gb gives you a bit more detail on the legalities of what the US Immigration authorities need from you; so Delta already have all the information they need for the 72-hour deadline, and can perfectly happily take the passport / hotel details at check-in.

Hope this helps, have a great trip -

Drew