Potential foreign visitors to the United States are opting for vacations elsewhere, as meetings and conventions are being relocated to other countries. In response to increasing horror stories by international airline passengers fearing to pass through US Borders, American Airlines, in cooperation with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.K. Department for Transport (DfT), started a trial program, currently only available to passengers booked on a non-stop flight from London (LHR) to Dallas. (DFW). It’s a first step, but it’s incomplete to make America great again for visitors.
The Trump administration is seeing a sharp decline in visitor arrivals from Canada, Europe, and elsewhere, while masked ICE agents are still kidnapping “foreign-looking” individuals from shopping centers, bus stops, and even beaches. US taxpayers-funded ads are running abroad warning potential visitors that they could be arrested if they attempt to enter the United States, unless immigration is satisfied that they have a valid and authorized reason to do so. American Airlines, based in Texas, has been working behind the scenes to enhance the experience for its passengers traveling to the U.S. from abroad.
In its press release, American Airlines stated that it was revolutionizing the international travel experience by becoming the first airline in the United States to offer seamless connections for travelers and their checked baggage. In partnership with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.K. Department for Transport (DfT), the new process allows customers traveling from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and connecting through the airline’s largest hub, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), to clear U.S. Customs right at the arrival gate.
This program is similar to agreements that have been in place for some time, allowing for clearing US customs outside the United States, such as in Abu Dhabi when flying on Etihad, or from most Canadian Airports to the U.S. on numerous airlines.
Customers can then proceed directly to their connecting flight without reclaiming and rechecking their checked baggage or passing through TSA security. Checked bags are automatically transferred to the connecting flight, streamlining the experience while maintaining the highest security standards.
This first-of-its-kind program, known as One Stop Security (OSS), is expected to cut connection times — which typically include clearing U.S. Customs, claiming checked bags, rechecking bags, and then clearing TSA security — by more than half, dramatically improving the customer journey. By leveraging advanced technology and working with vendor partners BagCheck and Brock Solutions, American is further enhancing safety, security, and operational efficiency across the process.
“One Stop Security is one of the most forward-thinking enhancements we can bring to international travel — and importantly, to our customers — as it delivers a level of convenience and time-savings that’s never been available before to customers connecting from international flights,” said David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer at American. “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.”
CBP’s and TSA’s commitment to enhancing the traveler experience, and the agencies’ innovative approach to maintaining the highest security standards, is on full display with OSS. This milestone would not have been possible without their leadership and collaboration at every level of these organizations.
DFW’s investment in the infrastructure and operational systems needed to support OSS was instrumental in making the program a reality. The airport’s role in facilitating a secure and efficient handoff from international arrivals to connecting flights reinforces its position as a global leader in airport innovation.
The U.S. launch at DFW follows a successful pilot earlier this year at LHR. One Stop Security (OSS) allows customers to connect to international (non-U.K.) destinations through London Heathrow Airport (LHR) from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Customers connecting in Terminals 3 or 5 are not required to go through security screening a second time. The pilot streamlines the connection process, enabling airline customers to spend less time worrying about re-screening and re-checking bags and more time enjoying their travels.
The airline plans to explore opportunities to expand OSS to additional flights and U.S. airports in the future/
TSA said a family lane was also added, making the border crossing part of this procedure more family-friendly.
World Tourism Network applauded this new initiative but warned that the most important commitment for making the United States a more desirable travel and tourism destination for Europeans is missing.
- Training officers to understand the importance of inbound tourism for the U.S. economy and making the “interrogation” process when asking foreign visitors friendlier, thereby creating a welcoming atmosphere.
- A pledge to not arrest visitors, US Border controls feel, should be rejected not for criminal reasons, but for fear of overstay, unauthorized work, etc, but instead create airport lounge type waiting facilities for such rejected applicants to catch a flight back to their home country without being put in an orange jump suit, hand cuffs and leg shackles.
