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Frequently Asked Questions

Secure Flight

Secure Flight basics

What is Secure Flight and what does it do?
Secure Flight is a behind the scenes program that streamlines the watch list matching process. It will improve the travel experience for all passengers, including those who have been misidentified in the past.

What information will be collected by Secure Flight?
Under the Secure Flight Final Rule, TSA requires airlines to collect and transmit to TSA the following Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD):

• Name as it appears on government-issued I.D. when traveling
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Redress Number (if available)

Why is Secure Flight collecting this information?
TSA determined that mandating the provision of the additional data elements of date of birth and gender would greatly reduce the number of passengers misidentified as a match to the watch list. It is to the passenger's advantage to provide the required data elements as doing so may prevent delays or inconveniences at the airport, particularly for those individuals who have similar names to those on the watch lists.

When did Secure Flight's requirements go into effect?
Secure Flight required that all airlines request and collect Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) as of October 31, 2009. Secure Flight is being phased in with each airline. Implementation with all domestic airlines is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2010 and international carriers by the end of 2010.

What happens if my airline did not ask for any of the newly required information?
Secure Flight is being phased-in and each airline will incorporate the necessary changes into its system over the coming months. Passengers should not be concerned if particular airlines don't ask them to provide the additional information right away; it should not impact their travel.

What is the objective of Secure Flight?
The goals of the program are to:

• Identify known and suspected terrorists
• Prevent individuals on the No Fly List from boarding an aircraft
• Subject individuals on the Selectee List to enhanced screening to determine if they are permitted to board an aircraft
• Facilitate passenger air travel
• Protect individuals' privacy

What are the benefits provided by Secure Flight?
By assuming watch list matching responsibilities from the airlines, TSA:

• Decreases the chance for compromised watch list data by limiting its distribution
• Provides earlier identification of potential matches, allowing for expedited notification of law enforcement and threat management
• Provides a fair, equitable, and consistent matching process across all airlines
• Reduces instances of misidentified individuals
• Offers consistent application of an integrated redress process for misidentified individuals via the Department of Homeland Security's Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP)

What laws mandate Secure Flight?
The 9/11 Commission Report recommended that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) take over watch list matching from the airlines. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) of 2004 codified this recommendation and requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA to assume from airlines the function of conducting pre-flight comparisons of airline passenger information to federal government watch lists. TSA is implementing the Secure Flight program to meet this Congressional mandate. The Secure Flight Final Rule provides the regulatory authority for the implementation of the Secure Flight program.

What this means for you as a traveler

How will my travel experience be different now that Secure Flight is up and running?
The biggest change for most passengers will be providing additional information when booking a reservation for air travel. Under Secure Flight, airlines require that passengers provide their full name, date of birth, and gender when making a reservation to travel and will request a passenger's Redress Number and passport information if available. Otherwise, the passenger experience under Secure Flight will be the same for most travelers.

If the name printed on my boarding pass is different than what appears on my government ID, will I still be able to fly?

Secure Flight is a behind-the-scenes process that TSA and airlines collaborate on to compare the information you provide against government watch lists. The additional data elements that you may be asked to provide, such as date of birth and gender, serve to better differentiate you from individuals on the government watch lists.

Due to differences in boarding pass systems, boarding passes may not always display the exact name you provided when booking your travel. The name you provide when booking your travel is used to perform the watch list matching before a boarding pass is ever issued, so small differences between the passenger's ID and the passenger name printed on the boarding pass, such as the use of a middle initial instead of a full middle name or no middle name/initial at all, or hyphens and apostrophes should not cause a problem for the passenger.

Redress - for passengers who have been misidentified

What is Redress?
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. For more information on the redress process, visit www.dhs.gov/trip.

How does Secure Flight use the Redress Number?
Secure Flight uses the results of the redress process in its watch list matching process, thus helping to prevent future misidentifications for passengers who may have a name that's similar to an individual name on the watch list.

How do I use the Redress Number?
After receiving the Redress Number, passengers should provide the number to their travel arranger or airline representative when making airline reservations. By doing so, passengers can avoid inconveniences or delays that may result from mistaken identity. If passengers are not asked for the Redress Number by their travel arranger or airline representative, they should volunteer the number to the agent taking the reservation or provide the Redress Number when checking in for their flight.

Once I have a Redress Number, will my travel experience be better?
After submitting your application for redress, you will receive your Redress Number immediately. This number is used to track your application, but will also serve as the number to be provided when traveling in the future. Please bear in mind that even though you have been assigned a Redress Number, your application must still be processed. Once your application is processed and finalized, you will be notified with a letter.

Please note that DHS can neither confirm nor deny whether an individual is on a Federal watch list because this information is derived from classified and sensitive law enforcement and intelligence information. In addition, DHS cannot ensure that your travel will always be delay-free. Airline check-in procedures must still be followed and other security measures remain in place at the airport.

How long is a Redress Number?
A Redress Number is seven digits long.  

What is the difference between a Redress Number and a Redress Control Number?
The official term used by the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) is Redress Control Number. Many people simply refer to this as a Redress Number. These terms all refer to the same number.

Where can I apply?
To apply for redress through DHS Transportation Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP), visit www.dhs.gov/trip.

Who do I contact if I need my Redress Number?
To check the status of your inquiry, go to https://trip.dhs.gov/status.htm and enter your Redress Number. If you have lost or misplaced your Redress Number, contact DHS TRIP by e-mail at trip@dhs.gov.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions about redress?
For more information on the redress process and how to apply, visit www.dhs.gov/trip or email trip@dhs.gov.

Protecting your privacy

How do I know that the information Secure Flight collects about me will be safeguarded?
TSA takes the security of personal information very seriously. The personal data that Secure Flight proposes to collect is protected by the highest set of security protocol standards established by the federal government.
TSA takes a number of steps to guard the safety and privacy of personal information it collects about individuals. TSA's Office of Privacy Policy and Compliance collaborates with the Chief Information Security Office (CISO) to work with program offices during the design and implementation of systems to ensure compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a.
For detailed information regarding your privacy, click here.

How does Secure Flight protect the privacy of individuals?
Secure Flight guards the privacy of individuals by adhering to the letter and spirit of privacy law, by treating individuals and their personal privacy information with respect, ensuring a high standard of privacy protection, and responding effectively to public concerns.

Does TSA use commercial data to conduct watch list matching?
No, Secure Flight does not use commercial data to conduct watch list matching.

What are the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and the System of Records Notice (SORN)?
Secure Flight published a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and System of Records Notice (SORN) to provide detailed information about the program's impact to individuals' privacy and information about the program's privacy approach.

Updating your flyer accounts

Will Secure Flight affect my airline frequent flyer accounts? I have heard that if the name I use to make my reservation matches my ID but not my frequent flyer account that the airline's frequent flyer system will not recognize my name. What should I do?
Passengers should ensure that the name used when making a reservation matches their government-issued ID used when traveling. If that name differs from the one on their frequent flyer account, passengers should consult the airline frequent flyer program regarding the process to update their frequent flyer account information.

What if I book travel with a travel agent? Will they know to start sending the additional Secure Flight data elements?
Passengers should ensure that the name, date of birth, and gender that the travel agency uses to book their travel match the information on their government-issued ID used when traveling.
Airline and travel agency systems may not be able to support changes to the way passenger names are currently stored in various accounts. Airlines and travel agencies have been making the changes to their systems necessary to update passenger information to a format compatible with the Secure Flight requirements. Although it might be challenging to make these modifications now, passengers should find it progressively easier.

How Secure Flight fits with other DHS programs

What is the difference between the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) and Secure Flight?
APIS was established for international commercial airlines and vessel operators by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enhance border security by providing CBP officers with pre-arrival and departure manifest data on all passengers and crew members. APIS requires electronic arrival and departure passenger manifest submissions from all international commercial air and sea carriers. The program was designed to support CBP's core mission of border protection. Due to the criticality of watch list matching international passengers today, CBP took on the responsibility to fill a short term gap in watch list matching for international flights.

Under the Secure Flight Final Rule, TSA assumes responsibility for watch list matching for both domestic and international flights to promote consistency across airlines. Transitioning this function to TSA allows it to successfully carry out its mission of establishing aviation security and conducting watch list matching for airlines and allow CBP to focus on its mission of border enforcement and protection.
Sea vessels are not in the scope of Secure Flight at this time.

How does Secure Flight fit with APIS?
DHS has directed CBP and TSA to combine the pre-departure APIS and Secure Flight concepts and systems to provide "One DHS Solution" to the commercial aviation industry and the traveling public. As a result, the watch list matching function for international and domestic flights is being transferred to the government in three stages:

1. CBP will conduct pre-departure watch list matching for passengers on international flights through the pre-departure Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) program.
2. TSA will conduct pre-departure watch list matching for domestic flights operated by U.S. airlines by implementing Secure Flight.
3. TSA will assume the watch list matching function for passengers on international flights from CBP.

Implementation with domestic airlines began in early 2009 and with international commercial flights into, out of, or over the U.S. in late 2009. Implementation with all covered airlines is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.

Airlines

How does Secure Flight change the way we operate?
The Secure Flight Final Rule establishes new requirements for airlines regarding the watch list matching process. For more information on the specific requirements for airlines under the Final Rule, click here.

What is the timeline for implementing Secure Flight?
Implementation with domestic airlines began in early 2009 and with international commercial flights into, out of, or over the U.S. in late 2009. Implementation with all covered airlines is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.

Is Secure Flight being implemented for international flights as well as domestic flights?
Yes. TSA is working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to transition watch list matching for international flights from CBP to TSA. Implementation with covered international commercial flights into and out of the U.S. is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.

What sort of training will be provided to airline staff?
An updated Consolidated User Guide (CUG) that provides technical and operational guidance for the implementation of Secure Flight was distributed to airlines on the TSA Secure WebBoard. Secure Flight provides training support materials for airlines, but airlines will be responsible for implementing training at designated airports and facilities.

Travel Agencies

What should we tell our customers about Secure Flight?
Under Secure Flight, the most significant change for the majority of passengers is that airlines collect certain information from a passenger which will be provided to TSA for watch list matching purposes. Secure Flight requires airlines to collect the passenger's name as it appears on their government-issued ID, date of birth, and gender.
TSA expects that the airlines that hold the inventory for the flights you sell will work closely with you on these data requirements. It is important to help passengers understand that they are required to provide the information and that providing the additional information under Secure Flight will help differentiate a passenger from an individual on the watch list and prevent misidentification. Secure Flight looks forward to working with the travel industry to help educate passengers about the required changes.

What new information do we have to collect?
Under the Secure Flight Final Rule, airlines are required to ask for and transmit to TSA the following information when a passenger makes a reservation: name as it appears on government-issued ID, date of birth, and gender. It is up to the airline to decide how and when it will collect passenger information, provided that the airline collects their name as it appears on their government-issued ID, date of birth, and gender for all reservations 72 hours prior to the scheduled time of flight departure. TSA expects that the airlines that hold the inventory for the flights you sell will work closely with you on these requirements.

Am I legally obligated to collect the newly required information?
While the Secure Flight Final Rule does not directly regulate travel agents, it does require that all covered airlines collect full name, date of birth, and gender for all covered flights regardless of booking channel (including bookings by third parties). Each covered airline must ensure that each third party that accepts a reservation on the covered airline's behalf complies with this requirement. For reservations made prior to October 31, 2009, date of birth and gender are not required for submission to Secure Flight.