Do you still need to do API before flying?

In most cases, you may not be allowed to travel if you do not provide your API in the time required. Providing your API should not be confused with applying for a visa. You will still need to follow the entry rules for every country you visit, as well as any customs and passport control regulations.



Yes, providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is a mandatory requirement for almost all international flights in 2026. API includes basic data from your passport, such as your full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number. This information is required by the governments of the countries you are flying to and from for security and border control purposes. Most airlines now integrate the API collection into the online check-in process or allow you to scan your passport using the airline's mobile app weeks before your flight. If you fail to provide this information, you will not be able to receive a boarding pass or check in online. For travel to the U.S., this also includes providing your "First Night Address." In 2026, many airports have started using Biometric API, where your facial scan at the gate is cross-referenced with the digital API data sent by the airline, making the boarding process faster. To avoid delays at the airport, it is always a "pro-tip" to ensure your API is completed at the same time you book your ticket or at least 24 hours before your departure.

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API (Advance Passenger Information) data is biographic information on passengers (as contained in travel documents) collected by air carriers during check-in and, complemented with travel route information, transmitted by these carriers to the border control authorities of the country of destination.

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While it is not required to have a passport to make flight reservations, it is strongly recommended. While you may be able to book your airline ticket without your passport number, you must have a valid passport in hand before you arrive at the airport.

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Passport, Travel Visa and National ID Card You can even consider having multiple documents such as your passport, national ID card or driver's licence.

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The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.

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Your API reference helps new developers see what's possible. Later, they'll return to remind themselves of syntax or specific functionality. In between, you'll need documentation that helps them achieve common tasks with your API.

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APIs are needed to bring applications together in order to perform a designed function built around sharing data and executing pre-defined processes. They work as the middle man, allowing developers to build new programmatic interactions between the various applications people and businesses use on a daily basis.

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You need to provide Advance Passenger Information (API) before you go on holiday if you're travelling with TUI Airways. It's also called APIS, Secure Flight or e-Borders. In a nutshell, this is information from your passport that's required by the governments of some countries.

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For security reasons, the US, most EU member states, and other countries now require airlines to provide details about their passengers before they travel. This is known as Advance Passenger Information (API).

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