I’ve spent 40 years in the aviation industry, working in loading, airfield operations, aircraft operations, and airport and airline IT.
Over those four decades, I’ve seen radical changes in the way airlines, airports and governments handle passengers, particularly passenger data. I’ve also seen how much the requirements for travelling internationally have changed.
So, as the title says: Are you ready to travel?
The majority of Conditions of Carriage, whether travelling by air, land or sea, require passengers to check the entry and travel requirements for every country they will or may visit.
Yet I’m seeing and hearing about more and more passengers being denied boarding because they have incorrect or incomplete information.
And remember: if you are denied boarding because you have failed to meet the requirements, there is no guarantee you will receive a refund. It may be considered your responsibility.
Over the last nine months, here in the UK we’ve had the introduction of the ETA, while Europe has been rolling out EES. Around the world, there have also been changes to visa, ESTA and other travel authorisation requirements.
Every day, millions of passenger records are checked by airlines against government systems to confirm that passengers have the right to travel. Yet passengers still arrive at the airport having missed some surprisingly simple requirements.
Check Your Passport
First, check your passport.
Do you have at least six months remaining before it expires? Some countries have specific validity requirements, and these can vary depending on your nationality and destination.
Is your passport damaged? Even something as seemingly minor as a tear could potentially cause problems.
Some countries also require you to have blank pages available for immigration stamps or visas.
Don’t assume that because your passport is valid, you are automatically able to travel.
Do You Need Travel Authorisation?
Do you need a visa, ESTA, ETIAS, ETA or another form of travel authorisation?
Check the official government websites for both your own country and the countries you intend to visit.
Travel companies and airlines are often very good at providing guidance, but ultimately, you are responsible for making sure you meet the entry requirements.
Do your own research. Requirements can change, sometimes at short notice, and not everyone, including people who work in the travel industry, will necessarily have the latest information.
There Can Be Some Quirky Requirements
Depending on where you are travelling, you may need to demonstrate that you have:
- A return or onward flight
- Sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay
- Accommodation arrangements
- A first-night address or hotel location
- Other documentation or evidence required by the destination country
These requirements aren’t always obvious, so check before you leave home.
And Please Think About Travel Insurance
Finally, I’m seeing more and more people starting GoFundMe campaigns to pay for medical treatment or evacuation because they decided not to buy travel insurance.
The attitude is often: “It won’t happen to me.”
Unfortunately, sometimes it does.
Travel insurance is an additional cost, but personally, I see it as a must have.
I spent three years travelling around the world installing check-in systems, and during that time I heard first-hand stories about the enormous costs people can face when something goes wrong abroad.
A cancelled flight is frustrating. A lost suitcase is inconvenient. But a serious medical emergency in another country can be financially devastating.
So before you travel, take a few minutes to check the requirements, check your documents, and make sure you have appropriate insurance.
The airline may check your right to travel, but ultimately, it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re ready to go.
None of this is one-sided, either. Behind the scenes, whether you’re flying with a charter airline or a scheduled airline, they’re running exactly the same checks on you that I’ve just described, matching your passport and booking details against government watchlists and entry requirements, often within seconds of you checking in. The technology exists to catch problems before you reach the gate. It just can’t fix a passport that’s about to expire, or a visa you never applied for. That part’s still on you.
Safe travels.
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