International Travel Q & A

Why is Alaska Airlines collecting this information?

Alaska Airlines is required to adhere to the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which requires the collection of specific information from every passenger traveling to the U.S. from other countries. This information is requested for the purposes of ensuring aviation safety and security.

Once you have supplied Alaska Airlines with the information required, we store it in our system and transmit it electronically to the appropriate government agencies.

Alaska Airlines will not use this information for any other purpose than to provide passenger information to the government agencies concerned.

What are travelers required to do?

You must supply Advance Passenger Information at time of check-in or you will be unable to travel.

Following is a list of information required:

• Full name (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Country of residence
• Travel document type (passport (preferred), U.S. Permanent Resident Card, U.S. Military I.D., Merchant Mariner Document, NEXUS Air Card)
• Travel document number (expiration date and country of issue for passport)
• Destination address in the U.S. (Not required for U.S. nationals, Legal Permanent Residents, or Alien Residents of the U.S. entering the U.S.)

How can I provide the required information before I travel?

• Online Form - During Reservation Purchase
  You have the option to provide APIS information on the Traveler Information page when purchasing a reservation on alaskaair.com. Look for the link titled "Enter passport / ID card information" to add each traveler's APIS information. The data will be kept in an online form that is stored along with your reservation. You will not be required to provide the passenger information again when checking in (unless some required information is missing).
• Online Form - After Reservation Purchase
  You can provide all the necessary APIS information in an online form that is stored along with your reservation. This allows you to complete this information before you go to the airport. You will not be required to provide the passenger information again when checking in (unless some required information is missing).
• Web Check-In
  You will be asked to provide any information that was not entered in the online form when checking in. Learn more about Web Check-In.
• Check-In Kiosk
  You will be asked to provide any information that was not entered in the online form when checking in. Learn more about Check-In Kiosk.

Privacy

The Advance Passenger Information data is checked against the combined federal law enforcement database, known as the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS). Names are also checked against the FBI National Crime Information Center wanted-persons database.

The U.S. authorities are bound by data protection and privacy laws so that the information cannot be forwarded to, or seen by, anyone who does not have appropriate security clearances. It will be used only for its stated intended purpose.

Alaska Airlines is required by the various government agencies to collect Advance Passenger Information for all passengers prior to travel to the US from other countries. Passengers who refuse to supply this information will be refused entry and therefore will not be allowed to travel.

Travel Document

This is the country that issued your passport. If you are traveling with a U.S passport, the country of issue is U.S.A., even if the passport was issued at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S.A.

If the travel document is not a passport, you will be required to provide the travel document number and all other required APIS information.

Please note that for flights to and from international destinations, including Canada and Mexico, government regulations require the use of a passport. Acquiring a U.S. passport may take up to 6 weeks (or 2 weeks expedited). More information

Address for the first night in the United States

An address in the U.S. is NOT required for U.S. citizens, U.S. legal permanent residents, or passengers in transit to other countries. Please note: you are considered in transit if you are staying less than eight hours in the U.S. and have confirmed onward reservations.

The U.S. authorities require an address or an indication of where you are staying:

• If you are returning on the same day
  Provide the address of a location where you will be spending time during your visit to the U.S. (for example, the address of where a meeting you are attending is being held).
• If your accommodation will be allocated on arrival
  Please provide the name and address of your agent in the U.S.
• If you are transferring to a cruise ship
  If you are transferring to a cruise ship on the day you arrive in the U.S., you need to provide the name of the cruise ship, cruise line, and your port of embarkation.
• If you are backpacking
  You should provide an indication of where you will spend your first night.
• If you are renting a car and do not have an address for the first night
  Provide the information on where you expect to be staying in as much detail as possible.
• If you are connecting to another flight departing the U.S.
  If your outbound flight leaves within 8 hours of your arrival, provide your flight number and destination.

The U.S. authorities require an address or an indication of where you are staying if you are in the U.S. for 8 hours or more. If you are remaining at the airport during your layover, please provide the address information for the airport you are connecting in.

International Passenger Information Requirements
Terms and Definitions
Travel Documents