If you are new to air travel, the first question is usually simple: what do I need before I can book. The requirements to book a flight in Nigeria are not complicated, but they must be correct, because your ticket is tied to your identity and travel documents.
This guide breaks down the requirements to book a flight in Nigeria for local trips and international trips, the documents needed to book a flight, and the exact passenger information airlines normally ask for when you book online.
Requirements to Book a Local Flight in Nigeria
For a local trip, the requirements to book a local plane ticket in Nigeria are mainly about correct identity and contact details.
Documents needed to book a flight within Nigeria
For domestic travel, the requirements to book a local flight usually include a valid physical photo ID for each passenger. Commonly accepted IDs include:
- National ID card
- Driver’s license
- Voter’s card
- International passport
Some airlines also accept certain company issued IDs, but it depends on the airline and route.
Information needed to book a flight ticket (local)
When you book online, you typically provide:
- Full name (as it appears on the ID you will use)
- Phone number
- Email address (your e-ticket and updates are sent here)
- Gender (often required)
- Date of birth (sometimes required)
These are the main things needed to book a flight for local travel. Once you pay, your booking reference and itinerary are sent to your email.
See Also: Step-By-Step Guide to Book a Cheap Flight in Nigeria
Requirements to Book an International Flight from Nigeria
International travel adds more documents and more checks. The requirements to book a international flight are not only about booking, but also about entry rules for your destination country.
Documents needed to book a flight internationally
In most cases, the requirements to book a flight in Nigeria for international travel include:
- International passport (valid)
- Visa (if required by your destination)
- Any health or entry documents required by the destination country at that time
Many airports and airlines also advise that some countries require your passport to be valid for a certain period beyond your travel date, so it is smart to check the exact rule for your destination before you pay.
What passport details are needed to book a flight
When booking international flights, airlines often ask for passport details. The most common passport details are:
- Passport number
- Passport expiry date
- Passport issue date (sometimes)
- Country of issue
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Your name exactly as it appears on the passport
Some airlines or destinations may request additional travel document details during booking or during online check-in, especially where Advance Passenger Information is required.
Details Needed to Book a Flight for Someone Else
If you are booking for your spouse, friend, staff, or family member, the requirements to book a flight ticket are the same, but the passenger details must be theirs.
Info needed to book a flight for someone includes:
- Their full name exactly as on their ID or passport
- Their date of birth (often requested)
- Their gender (often requested)
- Their passport details for international flights
- A working email and phone number (yours can be used for receiving the itinerary, but the passenger identity must remain accurate)
One common mistake is using your own name in a rush, then planning to “change it later.” Many airlines treat name changes differently from small corrections, so it is safer to enter it correctly from the start.
TSA Information Needed to Book a Flight (When It Applies)
TSA is a United States security agency, so it mainly affects flights connected to the United States.
If your trip involves the United States, airlines may require Secure Flight passenger data during booking or before check-in. The personal info needed to book a flight under this requirement commonly includes:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Gender
Optional details may include Known Traveler Number or Redress Number if you have them.
If you are not flying to or through the United States, you usually will not see TSA specific fields during booking, but you will still be asked for standard passenger details and passport details for international routes.
What You Need to Know Booking a Flight as a First Timer
Here are a few rules that make everything easier:
- Your name must match your ID or passport exactly. Spelling errors can cause check-in issues or extra charges to fix.
- Most airlines want a valid photo ID for domestic flights and a valid passport for international flights.
- Some flights also require additional passenger data for security, especially flights connected to the United States and some other countries.
- If you are booking for someone else, you still need their correct personal details, not yours.
How Long Does It Take to Book a Flight Ticket?
In most cases, once you have your details ready, it takes 5 to 15 minutes to complete the booking. If you are asking how long does it take to book a flight ticket, the main delays are usually:
- slow network or timeouts on payment pages
- bank OTP delays
- entering passenger details for multiple travelers
- switching between routes when booking flights with different destinations
Quick Checklist: Things Needed to Book a Flight
If you want a fast checklist of requirements to book a flight in Nigeria, use this:
For local flights
- Valid photo ID
- Full name exactly as on the ID
- Email and phone number
- Travel date and route
For international flights
- Passport details (number, expiry, country of issue)
- Full name exactly as on passport
- Visa or entry documents if required
- Email and phone number
- Any extra passenger information requested by the airline
FAQ
What do I need to book a local flight in Nigeria?
A valid photo ID and correct passenger details like full name, email, and phone number are the basic requirements to book a local flight.
What are the requirements to book a flight in Nigeria online?
You need your travel route and date, passenger details, and a payment method. For local travel, a valid photo ID is usually required at check-in. For international travel, you need a valid passport and any destination entry documents.
What are the requirements to book a international flight from Nigeria?
You need a valid passport, correct passport details for the booking, and any visa or entry requirements for your destination, plus your standard passenger information.
Conclusion
The requirements to book a flight in Nigeria are simple when you prepare them in advance. For local travel, focus on your valid photo ID and correct passenger details. For international travel, focus on your passport details, visa requirements, and any extra passenger information the airline requests. If you keep everything accurate from the start, booking becomes fast and stress free.