Here we explain acronyms and words like API, ESTA, eTA, Schengen, etc.
Links for further information or applications are included in blue where needed. For information on destinations entry requirements check out our Travel document guide.
API is a requirement set by the UK and Canada to gather specific information about passengers prior to their arrival. This information is found on the bio-data page of your passport and is typically collected during the check-in process.
APIS is a requirement set by the United States for obtaining certain details about passengers before they fly into the country. The required information typically includes an emergency contact, phone number, email address, and the address of your stay in the United States.
We kindly ask passengers who are traveling to and from the United States to provide and update their APIS information via Manage booking if they haven't already done so during the booking process.
A Canadian Travel Number (CTN) is a unique number given to travelers whose names are similar to those on Canada's "No Fly List," part of the Secure Air Travel Act (SATA). Having a CTN helps prevent unnecessary delays at the airport by distinguishing these travelers from those on the list, specifically when flying to, from, or within Canada.
It's important to note, however, that a CTN is not a mandatory travel document and is only for avoiding SATA-related delays. It won't help with other travel issues like expired or incorrect travel documents, immigration matters, or amendments to travel records.
The Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a service to help travelers resolve issues they may encounter when traveling to, from, or within the United States. This includes problems like being unable to print a boarding pass, being denied or delayed boarding, being referred for secondary screening at customs, needing to correct fingerprint records, amending a traveler record for overstaying, or being incorrectly denied ESTA.
If you face any of these issues, you can apply to DHS TRIP for assistance. Once your case has been reviewed and closed, you may be assigned a Redress Control Number. This number helps track your inquiry and ensures proper handling of your case.
An Electronic Travel Authorization, or eTA, is an essential requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. It's an authorization that's electronically tied to your passport, staying valid for as long as five years or until your passport expires – whichever happens first. Should you get a new passport, you'll also need to obtain a new eTA.
With an eTA, you're free to visit Canada as frequently as you'd like for brief trips, usually up to six months at a time. Travelers will need an eTA before they can board their flight to Canada. Eligible travelers can apply online.
Further information on visa requirements and visa exemptions can be found on the Canadian Government's entry requirements page.
An ETA, short for Electronic Travel Authorization, will soon be a requirement for people who don't need a visa to enter the UK. It will be electronically linked to passengers passports and gives them permission to travel to the UK. Each traveler will need their own ETA, including children and babies. It will cost 10 GBP per applicant.
Passengers will need to apply for an ETA to:
Who will need an ETA and when?
When applications open they will be accepted through the UK ETA app or on the UK government website. The passport used for travel must be the passport you apply with as the ETA and your passport are electronically linked.
Applications should be answered via email within 3 working days but might take longer if further checks are needed. The ETA will be valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and can be used for multiple visits to the UK.
ESTA is an electronic travel authorization to the United States for citizens of countries that are exempt from visa requirements. It is intended for passengers who:
Travel for work or leisure
Do not have a valid visa for the country
Stay less than three months
The authorization is valid for two years or until the passport associated with it expires, whichever happens first. You will need to apply for a new ESTA if the registered name, gender, or nationality in your passport changes. Reviewing applications can take up to 72 hours, so passengers are encouraged to apply well in advance.
Due to a directive from the US authorities, passengers from Visa Waiver Program countries can expect to be denied passage if they have neither a valid ESTA authorization nor a visa presented prior to departure. Violations are subject to penalties and other by-laws.
ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point.
As of 2024 ETIAS travel authorization will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to the Schengen states in addition to Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania. ETIAS is linked to a travelers passport and is valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires.
With a valid ETIAS authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays, normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You can apply either through the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS app. A fee will be charged for the application though some exemptions do apply.
It is recommended that you:
Your ticket is no longer printed on paper when you book your flight, whether you do so online or with one of our agents. Rather it's stored in our reservation system as an electronic ticket, commonly known as an e-ticket.
We'll send you a receipt with an itinerary via e-mail to confirm your reservation. We recommend you keep your receipt in a safe place where you can easily find it whether that means storing it on your smart device or printing it out. Our agents may need to see it to complete check-in.
An added benefit of an e-ticket is that it cannot be forgotten, misplaced or stolen as it is stored in our check-in system, linked to the means of identification you provided when you booked your flight, a credit card number or your Saga Club number for example. You won't be required to show the identification used for booking at check in and you can use the same identification for all passengers in your booking, if you're traveling with children for example.
If you're travelling to the United States you may be required to show a printed proof of your itinerary so we recommend you keep a printed copy of your receipt handy.
Global Entry is a program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It provides expedited entry into the United States at select airports. Icelandair does not collect Global Entry information.
More information on the program can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
A KTN, or Known Traveler Number, is a unique identifier given to individuals who have been approved for the TSA PreCheck® program. To reap the benefits of the program you can register your KTN in Manage booking so that a special indicator appears on your boarding pass.
Typically, a KTN is a 9-digit code, comprised of a mix of letters and numbers, and often starts with 'TT'.
The five Nordic countries are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The area also extends to those from the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland. These nations and territories have a long-standing history of cooperation, shared cultural traits, and similar languages. Citizens of the Nordic countries enjoy specific privileges within the area, such as the freedom to move, live, work, and study across these countries and territories under the Nordic Passport Union
Other essential travel documents are various pieces of information related to your trip that might be required by immigration authorities. These could include your itinerary, plane tickets, hotel accommodation receipts, details about your place of stay, proof of financial means for the trip, and more. Remember, these requirements can vary by destination, so it's best to check in advance.
A recognized mode of identification refers to any form of ID that other countries accept as proof of a person's identity. For instance, an Icelandic passport is the only document issued by the Icelandic government that is recognized worldwide. It's important to check which documents are accepted by the countries you plan to visit before your travels.
The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 27 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. Essentially, it's like one big country where you can move freely without going through border checks each time you cross into a new nation. Bear in mind, even though you can travel freely within the Schengen Area, you still may need to present a recognized mode of identification if asked by the authorities.
More information on the Schengen area can be found on the EU website.
Travel authorization refers to official permission granted by a particular country for a foreign traveler to enter, often applicable to citizens from visa-exempt countries. It essentially pre-approves your visit. Notable examples include the ESTA for travel to the United States, eTA for travel to Canada and soon ETIAS for Europe.
A travel document is a broad term encompassing all the papers you need to present to leave one country and enter another, based on each country's rules. This can include visas, recognized modes of identification, travel authorizations, and other essential travel documents.
Remember, it's your responsibility as a passenger to ensure you have all the necessary travel documents required for your journey, both to your destination and any countries you might pass through.
TSA, an acronym for the Transportation Security Administration, is responsible for security matters at United States transport hubs, such as airports. Note that the TSA doesn't handle customs or immigration issues – those are the purview of the Customs and Border Protection agency.
Icelandair is a participating airline in the TSA PreCheck® program. When signed up and approved by the TSA, passengers may experience a smoother security screening process when departing from the U.S., potentially skipping steps like removing shoes, jackets, belts, or laptops from their bags. To take advantage of this, passengers must register a KTN with their booking, which can be done by contacting our customer service.
A visa is a permission granted by a particular country, typically stamped or affixed to your passport, allowing you to travel to, enter, or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. Countries may require visas unless they have agreements in place for visa exemption or cancellation with the traveler's home country. In such cases, they may require travel authorizations such as an ESTA or eTA.