Advance Passenger Information

Death_to_Wonga

I've just booked a return flight to a European destination with British Airways.


When it comes to 'managing my account' on the BA website I'm told that I will need to provide extra info about myself in an API (Advanced Passenger Information) online form.


When having travelled with low budget airlines last year I do not recall having to fill these out for any of their flights so am surprised by this. Must I do it this time or will I be barred from flying if I don't? The site says I have to but is there a way out of this at all? I am uncomfortable with giving out too much info about myself to companies, security measures or not.

Voyager2002

This is a legal requirement for some countries but not others.

phatbear

Death_to_Wonga wrote: »

I am uncomfortable with giving out too much info about myself to companies, security measures or not.

so when you booked you gave ba:

your name
mobile number
email address
credit/debit card number including security number on the back
registered address for the previously mentioned credit/debit card

so why are you worrying about giving them more info?

even if you check in online, which will require the input of your date of birth and passport number

if you dont check in online then when you check in at the airport your passport number and dob etc will be input into their systems anyway.

photome

I am uncomfortable that you dont want to give out that info to ensure that the security services know who is travelling

PeacefulWaters

Get a grip.

InsideInsurance

All the budget airlines within the UK i've travelled on are compliant with UK law and gather the API data

Even if there was a way to avoid giving it out at point of purchase you give them the information at point of check in anyway when you handover your passport.

peachyprice

Where are you going? The requirement varies country by country.

BA only ask for API for countries that require it, others like Easyjet and Ryanair ask it for all flights, there's no way you got on a flight with either of those without giving it.

If you're going to a country where it's a legal requirement, i.e Spain, you won't even be able to check in without giving it, let alone get on the flight.

Why do you think you have a right to travel without revealing your identity?