Delta expands time-saving program for international flyers at Atlanta
The airport experience keeps getting less stressful for passengers flying to the U.S. from abroad — especially for travelers hurrying to catch a connecting flight.
In recent months, we’ve seen the U.S. relax some security protocols for passengers after a long intercontinental flight. This specifically applies to flights from the U.K. and Australia.
Up next are flights from South Korea.
Delta Air Lines announced on Wednesday that passengers flying into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) from Seoul's Incheon International Airport (ICN) no longer have to wait (and then recheck) their luggage before heading to their connecting flight.
Those passengers’ bags will now transfer right to their next plane, just like they would on a domestic connection.
That may sound like a fairly small change, but Delta estimates that this shift could save travelers an average of 25 minutes. That's precious time during a layover.
When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight
Simplifying security rules after an international flight
Normally, travelers flying inbound to the U.S. have to go through an arduous series of steps before reaching their connecting gate. They have to clear passport control, wait for their bag, recheck it and then go back through security.
Over the last few months, airlines (alongside the Transportation Security Administration) have started reducing some of those requirements for travelers flying into the U.S. from certain countries with similar security protocols.
In fact, just two weeks ago, Delta (and Virgin Atlantic) removed the bag and security recheck requirements for passengers connecting in ATL after an inbound flight from London's Heathrow Airport (LHR).
American Airlines recently launched a similar "one-stop security" trial for its passengers connecting at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) after a flight from LHR.
Seoul-Atlanta connections get simplified
Now, that concept is expanding (though in a more limited capacity) for Delta passengers flying from Seoul to Atlanta and then connecting to another flight.
Those travelers still have to reclear security, but their bags will transfer right over.
Read more: 'Game-changer' alternative to Global Entry now available at 8 US airports this summer
Why the TSA says this is safe
Through the partnership, South Korean security officials send the TSA X-ray images of passengers’ bags taken on the ground at checkpoints at ICN.
TSA agents can examine those images while passengers are flying, eliminating the need for a recheck after the flight.
“By leveraging advanced technology and enhancing our processes, we are driving innovation in air travel that adds an extra layer of security while streamlining the entry process for international travel,” Diane Sabatino, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's acting executive assistant commissioner of operations, said in a statement Wednesday.
The new one-stop protocols also extend to passengers flying Korean Air, Delta’s SkyTeam alliance partner, which also operates flights between Seoul and Atlanta.
Related: Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Which airports have one-stop security?
While many passengers will cheer the less cumbersome security rules, this does mean the postflight protocols are less consistent from one airport to another.
Here's a quick rundown of all the one-stop programs now in place, as of Aug. 13:
- If you’re flying from London to Atlanta or Dallas, you can skip the bag and security recheck and head right to your connecting flight.
- If you’re flying from Seoul to Atlanta on Delta, your baggage will transfer right to your connecting flight, but you’ll still need to reclear security.
- If you’re flying from Sydney to Los Angeles on American Airlines, your bag will transfer right to your connecting flight, but you’ll still need to reclear security.
Additionally, if you’re flying from Atlanta or Dallas to London and connecting at LHR, you can skip the security recheck there (bags already transfer right to connections).
Bottom line
The U.S. government has said that it hopes to add partnerships with more countries to these streamlined security protocols. That should help save passengers time in the U.S. and at airports overseas.
Delta, for one, told TPG that it hopes to eliminate the security recheck requirement for passengers coming from Seoul and connecting in Atlanta in the near future.
Related reading:
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.