International travel is getting easier for some passengers.
American Airlines has partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to pilot a brand new program that enables some international travelers to skip the same old TSA and customs re-screenings.
The primary-of-its-kind program, generally known as One Stop Security (OSS), will allow passengers to go on to their connecting flight after landing from abroad without reclaiming and rechecking their checked luggage, which can be routinely transferred to the connecting flight.
Per a Fox News report, Delta Air Lines is predicted to follow with its own trial starting Wednesday, July 30, for passengers flying from London Heathrow to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
OSS is predicted to streamline the travel experience by “leveraging advanced technology” to chop connection times by greater than half, which generally includes clearing U.S. Customs, claiming checked bags, rechecking bags after which clearing TSA security.
“One Stop Security is some of the forward-thinking enhancements we are able to bring to international travel — and importantly, to our customers — because it delivers a level of convenience and time-savings that’s never been available before to customers connecting from international flights,” David Seymour, chief operating officer at American, said in a statement.
“With this game-changing program and due to our federal partners at CBP and TSA, together with DFW Airport, our customers will spend significantly less time worrying about an onerous connection process and more time having fun with their travel journey.”
This system is currently being tested through AA’s largest hub, Dallas Fort Price International Airport (DFW), and only with flights arriving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Travelers traveling from London and connecting through Dallas will have the option to clear customs right on the arrival gate.
American is the primary airline to implement OSS at a US airport and “plans to explore opportunities to expand” the service to additional flights and airports in the longer term.
“One Stop Security is a great, long-overdue step toward modernizing the travel experience, eliminating redundant screening, cutting connection times and unlocking more international air service,” U.S. Travel President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a separate statement.
