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American Airlines announced today that it is redefining the international travel experience with a new program that eliminates one of the biggest hassles for connecting passengers: clearing customs, collecting bags, and going back through security.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the UK. Department for Transport (DfT) teamed up with American to launch One Stop Security (OSS). This first-of-its-kind process enables international passengers arriving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and connecting through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to clear US customs at their arrival gate without needing to claim and recheck checked bags or pass through TSA security.
Traditionally, travelers connecting through a US airport after arriving from abroad must:
- Clear US Customs and Border Protection
- Retrieve checked bags
- Recheck their bags for the connecting flight
- Pass through TSA security again
Under OSS, the entire process is streamlined to be much more efficient by clearing customs at the arrival gate, having check bags automatically transferred to the connecting flight, and not needing to go through security again. This change is expected to cut connection times in half while improving the customer experience and maintaining security and operational control.
American developed OSS in close collaboration with technology partners BagCheck and Brock Solutions. It leveraged advanced tools to ensure secure and accurate baggage handling and traveler verification throughout the entire process. Both CBP and TSA had a stake in designing and approving the process. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), American’s largest hub, also invested heavily in the infrastructure and operational capabilities required to support OSS.
OSS was successfully piloted earlier this year at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Now, with its debut at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), American became the first airline to implement OSS at a US airport and is setting a new standard for international travel convenience. The airline is already exploring opportunities to expand OSS to more international routes and additional US airports.
David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer at American Airlines., said:
With this game-changing program and thanks to our federal partners at CBP and TSA, along with DFW Airport, our customers will spend significantly less time worrying about an onerous connection process and more time enjoying their travel journey.”
Anthony’s Take: This is great and I wish it would roll out across the country. I never check bags and have Global Entry, but having to go back through security is a pain and can take a long time depending on where you’re connecting and if TSA PreCheck® lanes are open.
(Image Credits: American Airlines.)
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5 comments
What if you have items in your checked bags that you wish to declare? This setup seems to be for the passenger with nothing to declare or if the agent is willing to accept a declaration without inspection.
That’s a good point. I guess it’s the honor system 🙂
Again are you confusing Customs with Immigration? So many reporters don’t understand the difference. In this case it is a version of both but the headline shoule focus on Immigration not Customs. Customs rarely slows you down. immigration often does in many different countries including the USA. It’s not rocket science get it right.
I have flown AA through London Heathrow dozens of times. Every time you have to clear security, even when your baggage remains checked with the airline. Even as an Executive Platinum member, this can easily take over an hour to get from your arrival gate to your departure gate. The UK also imposes taxes and fees when using frequent flyer miles or upgrades so I’m not overly optimistic that this will have any positive effect on my travel experience.
Ditto!