Agency Frequently Asked Questions on Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD)
Updated November 12, 2010
Q What is Secure Flight, and what does it do?
A Secure Flight is a behind-the-scenes program developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial air travel through the use of improved watch-list matching. It is designed to improve the travel experience for all passengers, including those who have been misidentified in the past.
Q How does Secure Flight work?
A Secure Flight matches the name, date of birth and gender information for each passenger against government watch lists to:
- Identify known and suspected terrorists
- Prevent individuals on the No Fly List from boarding an aircraft
- Identify individuals on the Selectee List for enhanced screening
- Facilitate passenger air travel
- Protect individuals' privacy
Q What data is required?
A Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) must include the following information:
- Name as it appears on a Passport, Drivers License or other valid government-issued photo identification
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Redress Number (where applicable)
Q What is Redress?
A Redress is an opportunity for passengers who believe they have been improperly or unfairly delayed or prohibited from boarding an aircraft to seek resolution and avoid future delays. The affected passengers often have the same or a similar name to someone on the watch list. The DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) provides a one-stop shop for passengers seeking redress. Secure Flight uses the results of the redress process in its watch list matching process to help prevent future delays for misidentified passengers.
Q What is the format to enter Secure Flight Passenger Data into a reservation?
A All Sabre subscribers should use the format below to enter SFPD into the reservation. Note that the entry includes the passenger’s middle name (as applicable) and a two-digit year in the date of birth. The SFPD does not require suffix, but DOES REQUIRE middle name if it appears on the ID.
4DOCS/DB/DATE OF BIRTH/GENDER/LASTNAME/FIRSTNAME/MIDDLENAME
4DOCS/DB/01JAN41/M/HOWELL/THURSTON/BACKUS
A All Sabre subscribers should use the format below to enter APIS data directly into the reservation. The SFPD data will be extracted from the APIS for the TSA requirements. The Sabre format appears below:
4DOCS/P/ISSUING COUNTRY/PASSPORT NBR/NATIONALITY/DATE OF BIRTH/ GENDER/EXPIRATION DATE/LASTNAME/FIRSTNAME/MIDDLENAME/NAME NBR IN PNR
4DOCS/P/US/1234567/US/01JAN53/M/01MAR17/HOWELL/THURSTON/BACKUS-1.1
NOTE: IN ALL CASES, SFPD OR APIS THE NAMES MUST BE ENTERED EXACTLY AS THEY APPEAR ON A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PICTURE ID EXCLUDING THE SUFFIX. The formats described are for use in Sabre. Users of other GDSs should contact the respective GDS for the correct format.
Q What is the format to enter Redress data?
A The Sabre format is 4DOCO//R/123456-1, which is entered in addition to the formats shown above. As with other formats, users of other GDS systems should contact their respective representatives to learn subscriber formats.
Q Is the middle name or initial required for Secure Flight documentation?
A For SFPD data the passenger’s full name as it appears on a person's valid government-issued photo identification that will use when traveling. If the government-issued ID includes a middle name or initial, it must be included in the SFPD SSR when booking a reservation.
NOTE: The middle name or middle initial is not required in the name field of the reservation for ticketing or upgrading purposes. GDS functionalities differ and may not support the middle name or middle initial. Check with your GDS Help Desk for clarification on Name Field requirements.
Q When I make a reservation do I include the middle name/middle initial for the passenger’s itinerary and ticket?
A Name field in the PNR - only requires the FULL NAME – meaning the Full “Last name and the Full First name”. The middle name or initial is not required in the Name Field of the PNR. The name that has to match exactly to the Gov’t ID they are presenting is the Last name and the First Name only.
- The personal data that is in your reservation meets the TSA requirements for your travel dates. There is no need to make any changes to your name as it appears on your reservation. Your middle name will be collected, along with your gender and date of birth, to add your Secure Flight Passenger Data at time of purchase
- The name field requirements are separate from the SFPD or APIS requirement. The middle name/middle initial is required for SFPD or APIS to match the valid Gov’t ID the passenger is presenting to the TSA at security check point.
- DO NOT USE a suffix in the name field of the PNR or for the SFPD/APIS information.
Q Do I need to add Secure Flight Passenger Data if a customer booked/purchased a ticket prior to September 15, 2010?
A Yes, action is required. A ticketed or unticketed reservation made prior to September 15, 2010, for a flight departing November 1, 2010 and beyond must have Secure Flight Passenger Data entered in the reservation at least 72 hours prior to departure time. SFPD is required for check-in and to obtain a boarding pass. Without SFPD, passenger check in will not be allowed, and further, the reservation may be subject to cancellation.
Q If Passenger’s driver's license has one name, but the name on the passport is different, which one should be provided?
A It is best to enter into the name field of the PNR the passenger’s name as it appears on the valid government-issued photo identification the passenger intends to present at check-in and at the TSA security check point. The Secure Flight information should match whatever type (passport, driver’s license, etc) of valid government-issued photo identification is presented.
International Travel
All passports and/or passport replacing documents must be in good condition and the edges may not be torn or damaged.
The new U.S. Passport Card is NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL BY AIR. The U.S. Passport Card which the U.S. Department of State began issuing earlier this year may only be used for international land and sea travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Note: these new U.S. Passport cards may not be used for travel by air.
- Name on Passport
Thurston Backus Howell III
- Name Field in Reservation (DO NOT USE middle name or a suffix)
-HOWELL/THURSTON
- APIS DO NOT USE a suffix.
DOCS/P/US/1234567/US/01JAN35/M/01MAR17/HOWELL/THURSTON/BACKUS-1.1
(Please note:) IF APIS data is entered into a reservation, SFPD does not have to be entered, as American extracts the required SFPD from the APIS data.
- Secure Flight Passenger Data (USE a middle name if it appears on the government-issued ID. DO NOT USE a suffix.)
4DOCS/DB/01JAN35/M/HOWELL/THURSTON/BACKUS
Domestic Travel
- Name on Drivers License (can also use a passport for domestic travel)
Thurston Backus Howell III
- Name Field in Reservation: (DO NOT USE middle name or a suffix)
-Howell/Thurston
- Secure Flight Passenger Data: (USE a middle name if it appears on the government-issued ID. DO NOT USE a suffix.)
4DOCS/DB/01JAN35/M/HOWELL/THURSTON/BACKUS
IN ALL CASES, FOR SFPD/APIS NAMES MUST BE ENTERED EXACTLY AS THEY APPEAR ON A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PICTURE ID. The formats described are for use in Sabre. Users of other GDSs should contact the respective GDS for the correct format.
Q What if my passport is torn or damaged?
A All passports and/or passport replacing documents must be in good condition and the edges may not be torn or damaged.
To learn more about the TSA Secure Flight program, please visit www.aa.com/secureflight or www.tsa.gov/secureflight.
