Important Information – Secure Flight Program

The Secure Flight guideline issued by the US authority responsible for aviation safety (Transportation Security Administration, TSA), requires airberlin to record information about individual passengers at the time of booking. This regulation applies to all bookings. Provision of this information is mandatory.

Minimum information required (at least 96 hours prior to departure) for all flights to/from the USA with departures from 01.11.2010:
- Full name (as shown on passport)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Redress number* (if available)
* Passengers who have been mistakenly matched to a name on the watch list are asked to apply for a redress number. This is done under the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP).

Data collection options:
Bookings via partner.airberlin.com
When bookings are made online via partner.airberlin.com the Secure Flight data can be submitted via airberlin.com. Customers with existing bookings will be informed by airberlin asking them to provide the required data as a follow-up to their booking.
Bookings via GDS
When bookings are made via GDS, the Secure Flight data are collected via the reservation system (for example: Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, Worldspan etc.). In the case of a new booking you will be prompted to enter the required data in the PNR. Existing bookings will be sent to the appropriate queue with information about the need to enter the required data. You will find details about entries on your GDS information pages (Amadeus: GGAIR AB CHECKIN).

Detailed information on the secure flight program is published under tsa.gov ».
In addition to the Secure Flight data, other Advanced Passenger Information (API) must be submitted, together with an ESTA travel permit if appropriate. Further details are set out below.

Advanced Passenger Information
All airlines are required to collect personal data for their passengers on flights to and/or from the USA. We would advise to provide these API data (API: Advanced Passenger Information) when making the booking in your GDS or by entering the data on the form available at airberlin.com » when booking via partner.airberlin.com.

API data include:

  • First name and surname
  • Date of birth and gender
  • Passport number
  • Country where passport was issued
  • Expiry date of passport
  • Nationality
  • Country of residence
  • Temporary address where the passenger will be staying during the visit. The address details must include the house number, street, town/village, the relevant country code and postal / zip code.

Note: In case the booking contains full API information an additional element for secure flight is not required.

ESTA travel permit
The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals of certain countries to enter the USA without a visa, provided that they have a passport, a valid onward or return flight ticket and an electronic entry permit. The online application for the electronic entry permit (Electronic System for Travel Authorization, ESTA) must be submitted at least 72 hours prior to departure at a charge of USD 14.00. Once an entry permit has been issued, it is valid for multiple entries into the country for a period of two years. The ESTA travel permit must be presented at the check-in desk or carried in cabin baggage by passengers checking in online / at self check-in machines.