Easier US connections following certain international flights

Fed up with rechecking your luggage and going through security again for a connection after arriving in the U.S. from abroad? Help may soon be here — at least for some passengers.

The Transportation Security Administration is developing a new initiative that will enable travelers flying from specific international cities to enjoy smoother connections upon returning to the U.S. The pilot program could launch within the next year, according to the agency's director.

As reported by TPG earlier this year, this new procedure should significantly reduce wait times for travelers after long flights. It could save hours during peak travel periods, TSA Administrator David Pekoske shared with TPG at the Regional Airline Association Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

"I anticipate we could see this in place, hopefully, within the next 12 months," Pekoske noted. "Once we implement it, it will be a major advantage for passengers, potentially saving ... one to two hours during layovers at U.S. airports."

Time-saving benefits

As Pekoske mentioned, travelers arriving in the U.S. from overseas airports often encounter a lengthy (and frequently frustrating) process to catch their connecting flights.

After navigating U.S. Customs and Border Protection, passengers must first collect their luggage from baggage claim and then recheck it for screening. Next, they have to go through security again.

Depending on the airport, this may involve passing through a specific checkpoint designed for connecting travelers (some of which, as I've noticed, lack TSA PreCheck lanes). In certain instances, it requires going through the regular TSA checkpoint as if you were a local arriving at the airport.

This is a step in the process that even Global Entry members are unable to bypass.

Approved 'one-stop' models

In late 2022, Congress authorized the TSA — in response to their request — to work with airlines, CBP, and international counterparts on prototypes for "one-stop" security measures.

Under this concept, passengers would complete security screening at an authorized, vetted international departure point. Upon arrival in the U.S., they could head directly to their connecting flight after clearing CBP, with their luggage seamlessly transferred as well.

Which international airports could be approved for these hassle-free connections? Pekoske mentioned to TPG that the TSA is looking into "several different countries."

"After extensive testing and numerous agreements, we deem those international airports to have security comparable to ours," he stated during public comments in Washington on Tuesday.

How many airports will be involved?

Congress's approval will enable the TSA to establish these one-stop procedures for travelers arriving in the U.S. from as many as six international locations.

Once approved, travelers arriving from one of those airports could enjoy a smoother connection experience at various U.S. airports; the program does not restrict the number of U.S. airports that can participate.

For instance, if Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea, were designated as an approved airport under this initiative, passengers flying from there might be able to bypass baggage and security checks at multiple U.S. airports.

However, there is one caveat: some U.S. airports may need to make adjustments to their infrastructure to support the new passenger flow required by the one-stop program.

Pekoske, however, believes that any necessary infrastructure modifications in the U.S. won’t pose significant challenges.

"The advantages gained from a relatively minor investment are substantial for passenger satisfaction," he remarked. "We plan to involve multiple U.S. airports in this initiative."

As this is a pilot initiative, the TSA is required to update Congress over the next six years on the effectiveness of this one-stop security system and any security issues that may arise. This feedback will help determine if these changes become permanent and possibly extend to more international departure points.

Key Takeaway

In the coming year, the TSA aims to begin allowing travelers from specific, approved locations to connect to U.S. flights without the need to go through security again or to collect and recheck their baggage.

Over the next six years, this could potentially include travelers flying from up to six international airports.

This means that for the foreseeable future, the majority of international flights will remain unchanged, but an increasing number of travelers may experience time savings—leading to a quicker journey to their connecting gate or additional time to unwind in an airport lounge.