Musing about API (advance passenger information)

balletshoes

Just wondering really.

Last weekend I booked our flights for our summer holiday - out of UK from Luton with Atlasjet, back into the UK from Antalya with Monarch.

Both are international flights, one is with a Turkish carrier, one (Monarch) is a UK carrier. I haven't been asked to provide API information from Atlasjet, but I have from Monarch -

http://www.monarch.co.uk/faq/holidays/making-a-booking/advance-passenger-information

its not a problem, and obviously I'll provide it, but I was really just wondering a couple of things - Monarch state in the link above that they need API details at the latest, 4 days before you fly with them. What happens if you book a last-minute flight with them (ie book today, fly tomorrow?).

And also, if its UK legislation that all international flights provide API details for their passengers, how come Atlasjet haven't asked me for any API? Do they get around it because they are not a UK-based flight carrier?

jpsartre

Any deadline is airline imposed. People fly from the UK all the time on tckets bought last minute. Many airlines will allow you to provide API at the airport when checking in.

rustyboy21

It looks like Turkey don't ask for API, but the UK want it, when you are flying back. 2 links below may help.


http://www.flyingabroad.co.uk/Advice/Advance-Passenger-Information.html
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/forum/topic-t139025.html


I would enter it on your monarch tickets now, so you don't forget. They may just take the info at checkin for your Atlasjet flight at the airport.

[Deleted User]

I went with Thomson on a last minute holiday and they made you do it at check in and it took seconds,makes me wunder why we do it online

Obviously_the_best

AtlasJet will do it at check-in, Monarch won't, probably as they think it causes too much queuing or something.

Blue264

Some airlines won't issue tickets the the U.S. without the APIS being in the booking. For most other flights, it's purely a way of saving time at the airport. I always add my APIS and sail through the biometric passport detectors whilst my OH waits in line.

sgun

I do think its a bit daft, my passport details AND my name changed between providing it and flying. I totally forgot I had provided it (booked flight 8 months before) and had to change it at the last minute after I had generated boarding cards with the wrong details on.