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Flying with Air Canada

Advance passenger information
Like all other airlines, Air Canada adheres to the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which requires the collection of specific information from every passenger travelling to Canada, as well as to/from the U.S. and certain other countries. This information is required for the purposes of ensuring aviation safety and security.

Save time at check-in! Enter required security information beforehand using our convenient online form*:

Provide your API online

* You may also provide APIS information when you check in online, on your mobile device or at an airport kiosk. See below for special requirements when travelling to, from or via the U.S.


Countries for which advance passenger information (API) is required

The following countries require API (Advance Passenger Information) from all airlines carrying passengers into their countries. Please note that this list is subject to change without notice:

  • Antigua
  • Australia
  • Barbados
  • Canada
  • China
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Dominican Republic
  • Grenada
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Republic of Korea
  • Saint Lucia
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

Special requirements for travel to, from or via the U.S.

As required under the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)'s Secure Flight Program, all passengers travelling to, from or via the U.S. are required to provide the following information at least 72 hours prior to travel, or at time of booking for bookings made within 72 hours of departure:
Full name as it appears on the passport (mandatory)
Date of birth (mandatory),
Gender (mandatory),
Redress Number (optional)

Bookings made directly with Air Canada:
To ensure it is provided on time, Air Canada requires that travellers submit their additional information at time of booking.

Other types of bookings:
If you booked your flight through a party other than Air Canada, Air Canada Vacations or Aeroplan, and your Secure Flight information was not collected (or you are not sure whether or not it was collected), we invite you to complete our online APIS form at least 72 hours prior to travel, or as soon as possible if your booking was made within 72 hours of departure.

We've answered some of the most commonly asked questions about the Secure Flight Program.


How to provide your advance passenger information

  • Online Form
    Access the online form to enter all your information online before you go to the airport. You won't be asked to provide the passenger information again when checking in (unless some required information is missing). And you can access the online form as often as you need to update passenger information.
  • During Web, Mobile or Kiosk Check-in (at the airport)
    You may also provide APIS information when completing your Web check-in, mobile check-in or Kiosk check-in at the airport. Learn more about our check-in options.

Advance Passenger Information FAQs

For travel to and from countries where API is required, passengers must provide the following information:

  • Full name* (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)
  • Gender*
  • Date of birth*
  • Nationality
  • Country of residence
  • Travel document type (normally passport)
  • Travel document number (for passport, expiry date and country of issue are also required)
  • Destination address in the U.S. (not required for U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents and resident aliens entering the U.S.).
*Important: As per the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)'s Secure Flight Program, passengers travelling to, from or via the United States are required to provide their full name (as it appears on the passport), date of birth and gender at least 72 hours prior to travel, or at time of booking for bookings made within 72 hours of departure. Passengers who have a Redress Number should provide it as well.
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All API data is checked against the U.S. government's Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS), which is a combined federal law enforcement database. Names are also checked against the FBI National Crime Information Center wanted-persons database.

The U.S. and Canadian 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.
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Air Canada (like all other airlines) is required by the various government agencies to collect API for all passengers prior to travel to or from certain countries. Passengers who refuse to supply API will be refused entry to these countries and therefore will not be allowed to travel.
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No. You are not required to provide an address in the U.S. if you are:

  • a U.S. citizen,
  • a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
  • a U.S. resident alien entering the U.S.
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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 you are connecting to another flight departing the U.S.
    If your onward flight leaves within 8 hours of your arrival, provide your flight number and destination.
  • 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
    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 your accommodation will be allocated on arrival
    Provide the information on where you expect to be staying in as much detail as possible.
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