Can airlines see your travel history?

Can airlines see your travel history? Yes, airlines have access to a passenger's future and previous travel history - but only as far as that airline is concerned.

Are flight records private?

In accordance with the underlying statutory framework (49 USC Chapter 441) and as described in the applicable SORN, the information maintained in the aircraft record is available to the public upon request.

Are all flight plans public?

As a result, flight data collected by the FAA in its air traffic control system – except for military and sensitive government flights – is public information. Web sites such as FlightAware post the data online, allowing anyone to observe the system and follow most planes virtually in real time.

Can my flight be tracked?

You can also track a flight via the airline's app by navigating to the Flight Status tool (you can also find this on an airline website). Though each airline has its own tracking features, they typically show the departure and arrival times, gate information, altitude, and map of where the plane is located.

How far back do airlines keep passenger records?

In the US, PNR data obtained from commercial carriers is stored in the Automated Targeting System. Just as in the EU, PNRs are depersonalized after six months. In five years, records are moved to a dormant database where they remain available for another ten years — for security purposes only.

What do airlines do with your passport?

Airlines submit a list of passengers and their passport info electronically to the destination country. It's also used instead of an exit stamp in the US.

Why do airlines scan your passport?

The airlines computer system may use the information to flag to staff to carry out a manual documentation check to make sure that you have a suitable visa in your passport for the destination you are travelling to, in addition to meeting any other conditions for travel (eg, return/onward ticket).

Do airlines share information with immigration?

U.S. law requires air carriers operating flights to, from, or through the United States to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with certain passenger reservation information, called Passenger Name Record (PNR) data.

Is flight data public record?

FlightAware publishes aircraft activity logs and registration information which are obtained as public records from the FAA.

Can a flight recorder be tracked?

Such recorders are fitted with locator beacons. These broadcast their location for up to 30 days, even when submerged as deep as 6,000 meters (20,000 ft) underwater, which increases their chance of being found.