Two new US airport programs let connecting passengers skip re-screening or bag re-check

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It's one of the worst parts of international travel: You land in the U.S. after a long flight, and you have to connect onto one more plane before you're home.

But before that flight, you typically have to:

Make the long trek to customs

Go through passport control

Wait for your checked bag

Re-check your bag

Go through security again

The whole process can take 45 minutes or more.

However, there's good news at a small (but growing) number of U.S. airports: Over the last couple of years, the federal government has launched partnerships with a handful of other countries to make that process smoother.

In some cases, you might be able to skip the security re-check before catching your connecting flight. For other itineraries, it's possible your bag could be transferred right to your final destination, just like it would on a domestic connection.

These changes are thanks to two new pilot programs launched by the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in partnership with a small number of other countries, as authorized by Congress.

SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY Which airlines and routes are eligible for the time savings? It could be helpful to know before you book your next international trip. Here's a quick rundown.

One Stop Security

One Stop Security is the new program that allows certain passengers to skip the TSA re-check before catching a connecting flight to their final destination.

Instead of having to trek to passport control and then go through security again, these eligible passengers clear passport control right as they get off their plane from the international inbound flight. They can then head right to their next gate.

Again, this applies to passengers who:

Have just flown into the U.S. from abroad

Are catching a connecting flight

Which routes are available for One Stop Security?

For more than a year now, the U.S. has partnered with the United Kingdom for One Stop Security on two international routes:

Airlines Routes

American Airlines (and British Airways) Flights from London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

So, if you're flying from Heathrow to DFW, you don't have to go through security again when you connect to your final destination.

Delta Air Lines (and Virgin Atlantic) Flights from London Heathrow to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Passengers inbound to ATL from LHR don't have to re-clear security before connecting.

We should note that passengers flying from ATL and DFW to Heathrow can also skip the security re-check when connecting onto another flight in London.

So, there's time savings on both sides of the Atlantic.

An American Airlines Boeing 777-200ER at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY International Remote Baggage Screening

As part of this second pilot program, passengers on certain approved routes will have their luggage transferred directly to their final destination.

So while these flyers will have to go to customs and clear passport control (and then TSA) before connecting, they won't have to wait for their bag and re-check it.

Which routes are available for the seamless bag transfer?

The U.S. has partnered with Australia and South Korea on this new setup. Three airlines now participate.

Airlines Routes

American Airlines Sydney Airport (SYD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Delta Air Lines Seoul's Incheon International Airport (ICN) to:

ATL

Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

LAX

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Korean Air also participates on ICN routes to ATL, LAX and SEA.

United Airlines Sydney to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Bottom line

In both of these screening programs, the U.S. has partnered with countries deemed to have comparable security protocols.

A Delta Air Lines aircraft at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY As part of the remote baggage screening initiative, security officials from partner countries will transmit images of travelers' bags scanned overseas to the TSA for review while customers are inflight, eliminating the need for a bag re-check in the U.S.

Don't be surprised if we see additional airlines and routes added in the coming years.

Related reading:

TPG's 2026 travel trends report

The best travel credit cards

Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is right for you?

Where to go in 2026: The 17 best places to travel

When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?

7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear

Which US airline is best? TPG's latest rankings

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.