International travelers connecting through the United States often face a tedious arrival process that can exceed 45 minutes, requiring a walk to customs, passport control, baggage claim, re-checking of bags, and a second security screening.
Federal agencies have launched two pilot programs in partnership with select foreign governments to streamline these connections for eligible passengers.
The first initiative, One Stop Security, allows certain travelers to bypass the Transportation Security Administration re-check before catching a connecting domestic flight.
Instead of repeating the full arrival sequence, qualifying passengers clear passport control upon deplaning and proceed directly to their next gate.
The United States has operated One Stop Security with the United Kingdom for over a year on two routes: American Airlines and British Airways service from London Heathrow to Dallas Fort Worth, and Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic service from Heathrow to Atlanta.
The exemption applies in both directions, meaning passengers connecting in London from those U.S. cities also avoid re-screening.
The second program, International Remote Baggage Screening, eliminates the need to retrieve and re-check luggage at the first U.S. port of entry.
Participating travelers still clear customs and security, but their checked bags are transferred automatically to the final destination, mirroring a domestic connection.
The remote screening effort involves Australia and South Korea, with American Airlines operating Sydney to Los Angeles, Delta Air Lines operating Seoul Incheon to Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Seattle, and Korean Air serving Incheon to Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
United Airlines participates on the Sydney to San Francisco route under the same framework.
Under the baggage program, foreign security officers transmit scanned images of checked luggage to the agency while the aircraft is en route, allowing U.S. officials to complete reviews before arrival.
Both initiatives rely on partnerships with countries whose aviation security standards are deemed comparable to those of the United States.
Officials expect additional airlines and routes to join the pilots in coming years as the federal government evaluates expansion.
