British Airways looking for API where it is not needed
Sep 1, 2015, 7:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 32
British Airways looking for API where it is not needed
I booked a one way ticket on BA from Dublin-Sofia via LHR.
BA are now looking for API even though as an Irish Citizen API is not needed to fly to the UK or the EU. Is it best just give them the info now or will they simply capture the info at check in?
BA are now looking for API even though as an Irish Citizen API is not needed to fly to the UK or the EU. Is it best just give them the info now or will they simply capture the info at check in?
Sep 2, 2015, 11:45 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Just a guess, but Bulgaria may require API on all passengers.
Anyway, from BA:
Anyway, from BA:
If you haven't given us this information by the time you check-in, we will ask you for it when you use online check-in, a check-in kiosk or a check-in desk.
http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/...-api#passenger
http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/...-api#passenger
Sep 3, 2015, 2:19 am
#3
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The UK government requires API from all persons travelling by air (and some other methods) to or from the UK except within the common travel area. Citizenship is irrelevant.
Your DUB-LHR flight does not require API but your LHR-SOF does. You will be unable to check-in online unless you submit API. If you check-in at the airport, your passport will be swiped there.
Your DUB-LHR flight does not require API but your LHR-SOF does. You will be unable to check-in online unless you submit API. If you check-in at the airport, your passport will be swiped there.
Sep 4, 2015, 6:53 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ/LHR/SFO/SIN
Programs: AC SE100K
Posts: 282
Also, I thought that the EU courts ruled that UK collection of API on intra-EU flights must be made optional for EU citizens?
Sep 4, 2015, 7:15 am
#5
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The EU has ruled a lot of things that the UK has not implemented or has dragged its heels on implementing for years. It took a few weeks short of two years for the UK to implement an opt-out from the MMW scanners, for example.
Sep 4, 2015, 7:18 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ/LHR/SFO/SIN
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Posts: 282
Last edited by pilot007; Sep 4, 2015 at 7:33 am
Sep 4, 2015, 9:31 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,343
I was under the impression that whatever you filled in the fields was repopulated with the correct data when your passport is swiped.
If your passport is never swiped by airlines (which can often be the case from CTA to Schengen) then I suppose it doesn't matter what you enter.
If your passport is never swiped by airlines (which can often be the case from CTA to Schengen) then I suppose it doesn't matter what you enter.
Sep 5, 2015, 7:16 am
#9
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I was under the impression that whatever you filled in the fields was repopulated with the correct data when your passport is swiped.
If your passport is never swiped by airlines (which can often be the case from CTA to Schengen) then I suppose it doesn't matter what you enter.
If your passport is never swiped by airlines (which can often be the case from CTA to Schengen) then I suppose it doesn't matter what you enter.
As for me, I have my passport details on file on my executive club account and they automatically populate onto my bookings. No further action required.
Sep 7, 2015, 3:43 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
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I was HBO but the kiosk wouldn't print the BPs. The agent asked for my passport and I decided to see what would happen if I didn't give it to him.
He claimed he was only able to print the NCL-LHR BP (not sure if it was computer or human saying no). From LHR I went home then returned to the airport. This time I was able to print the LHR-EU BP myself and furthermore, my passport was not requested at the gate either.
Sep 21, 2015, 1:37 am
#12
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It saves a small but non-trivial amount of time if you have keyed the details yourself and they do not have to swipe the passport.