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Passenger ID Requirements Updated: November 2, 2009
An Update from Delta on TSA Secure Flight In August, Delta communicated with travel partners regarding the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Secure Flight program, a mandate that became effective for most U.S. carriers on August 15, 2009. Delta is pleased to report that it has successfully met the requirements of the TSA Secure Flight launch in the U.S. The TSA Secure Flight program mandate for international travel goes into effect on October 31, 2009. Delta continues to work with the TSA, the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and our travel partners to ensure full implementation worldwide and to assure continued compliance with TSA requirements. The TSA also works with each airline individually on implementation and timelines. Submission of full Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) by customers, or collection by Delta or a third party, will only enhance and expedite travel for an enhanced customer experience. Background The mission of the TSA Secure Flight program is to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial air travel. Under the TSA Secure Flight Final Rule, all airlines are required to request, collect, and send to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the following Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) information about passengers who have booked travel to, from, or within the U.S.
The current TSA mandate requires Delta to request and collect the information at the time of booking. For direct bookings (i.e., through Delta Reservations, delta.com, etc.), if a customer declines to provide the complete information, the booking process may still be completed. At this time, Delta will continue to accept reservations without complete Secure Flight Passenger data (SFPD) as we partner with travel agencies and GDSs to bring their systems online. However, as TSA requirements for passengers are phased in, Delta will continue to comply with the TSA mandates, which will ultimately require the SFPD information be added to the reservation. On August 15, 2009 Delta began requesting and collecting the SFPD passenger information for new reservations booked directly with Delta and for all new reservations received from our travel partners. While the TSA timeline required an implementation date of August 15, 2009, for domestic travel and a date of October 31, 2009, for international travel, Delta has opted to begin requesting and collecting the information for international flights earlier than the TSA requirement. The decision is intended to assist customers, travel agents, as well as our own Delta Reservations and Airport Customer Service colleagues in transitioning to the new requirements ahead of time, before the final requirements become mandatory. TSA has granted NWA special dispensation from collecting SFPD booked on NWA computer systems for the Secure Flight program, due to the integration of the NW reservation system into the Delta reservation system. Travel Agency Processes Delta Air Lines appreciates travel agents’ partnership in adapting to new TSA Secure Flight requirements when booking new reservations. For travel agencies that have been informed of the new formats and entries required by their GDS, we welcome the transfer of the customer data through the prescribed methods. Delta also appreciates that some travel agencies have not yet had the opportunity to become familiar with the new GDS processes for collecting required information and may require additional time to review the process and/or update their systems, etc. Please know that as this process continues to evolve, Delta will continue to work closely with the GDSs to provide for a smooth transfer of TSA Secure Flight data according to the agreed upon procedures. Passenger Data Requirements Here are some tips for inputting the new information using an SSR entry. When booking a reservation, passengers are required to provide their name, date of birth, and gender as shown on the government-issued I.D that is presented when traveling (i.e., driver’s license, passport, etc.). Delta recommends that travel agents confirm with customers the document that will be used when traveling. However, the TSA continues to state that the name on the boarding pass does not have to be an exact match to the SFPD or government ID. As always, customers may check in using delta.com, nwa.com, airport self-service kiosks, or airport customer service representatives. The TSA screener at the airport will continue to review the boarding card presented by the traveler, review the photo I.D. (i.e., driver’s license, passport, etc.), and ask any additional questions if needed. The TSA has publicly stated that it will be flexible for a traveler whose name is slightly different from the way it appears on the identification form. Customers should strive to obtain consistency between the name on the ID they present when traveling and the name contained within their travel reservations/itinerary. GDS Support to Travel Agencies The GDS companies are reaching out to Delta’s travel agency partners worldwide with details about entering this new TSA required data in Delta reservations that include travel to, from, or within the U.S. Specifically, information is available on how to enter data in a PNR through an SSR entry. Delta will continue to work closely with the GDS and travel agencies to ensure that our data exchange systems remain fully complementary. Delta suggests that travel agents contact their GDS regarding details on entering data. Many GDS have information on their respective websites regarding Secure Flight requirements. TSA:
Secure Flight Requirements & Customer Privacy Delta, like all airlines worldwide, is required by the U.S. Government to collect and report the required information through a phased-in approach for all travelers whose itineraries include the U.S. Delta understands that Secure Flight is a new concept for the entire travel industry and requires a change to general booking processes — for both airlines and travel professionals alike. Under the Secure Flight rule, as it is today, a passenger may be selected for additional screening at the airport, or may be deemed ineligible to fly if his or her name matches one found on a watch list. Secure Flight aims to facilitate air travel for legitimate passengers by reducing the number of individuals who are misidentified. Aside from taking a moment to include a bit of additional information when making a reservation, most passengers will not experience any difference based on this change. Delta and the TSA respect customers’ privacy and are committed to safeguarding customer data with the highest degree of security. Thank You Thank you for your continued support of Delta Air Lines. We appreciate your business and will continue to keep our industry partners informed as the TSA Secure Flight program evolves. Passenger ID Requirements DHS/TSA Secure Flight Program As part of Delta’s continued commitment to communicate key policies and programs to our partners, please note that there are new updates regarding Delta’s alignment with the DHS/TSA Secure Flight Program. As more detail and information is defined, we will continue to update you regarding this program. Overview and Update Secure Flight is a program developed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The mission of the Secure Flight program is to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial air travel. Secure Flight is a phased in process for both the TSA and the airlines. Delta/Northwest is working to incorporate changes into our systems that capture and transmit passenger data elements required by the U.S. Government. Ultimately, Secure Flight requires airlines to acquire the full name, date of birth and gender information for each passenger so the program can compare this Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) to government watch lists. Eventually, the program will apply to all domestic and international passengers traveling into, out of, within or over the United States. Secure Flight will also apply to point-to-point international flights operated by U.S.-based aircraft operators. Due to the complexity of the program, Delta, along with other industry carriers are working with TSA in the development of transition and implementation plans to align with Secure Flight requirements. At this phase Delta is not able to accept the additional passenger information but is continuing to work with TSA to align Delta’s program with Secure Flight requirements. More information regarding Secure Flight is available from the TSA online: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/index.shtm Delta Alignment with the Secure Flight Program and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q1. How should the passenger’s name appear on the ticket? Q2. How will this impact names and information on a customer’s SkyMiles or WorldPerks account? Will the name on an account need to be updated or changed? Q3. Will this affect the way traveler’s data is built/stored in GDS or self booking tools? Q4. Since the required information should be received 72 hours prior to flight time, are there any issues with name corrections or new reservations booked less than 72 hours prior to departure? Q5. Do the airlines keep the TSA information as history? Q6. How will Delta/Northwest work with travel agencies to ensure they have the required passenger information? Q7. When are you going to be prepared to accept the required data elements? Q8. Will Delta and Northwest be accepting the required data elements via an SSR remark in the PNR? Q9. How is Delta going to protect the transmitted data elements? Q10. If a travel agency prefers to provide the required data elements directly to Delta or Northwest, what process should they use? Q11. What steps or processes are you putting in place if the traveler is unable to print a boarding pass once the required data elements have already been transferred to the TSA? Q12. What is the deadline that agents must begin to enter this data? Q13. How do travelers go about changing their names on the frequent flyer numbers if they don't match their ID? Will they be able to do that online or will they have to write a letter? |
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