Travelers flying from London to America’s second-busiest airport can now save tons of time before catching a connecting flight.
American Airlines on Tuesday announced the start of the long-awaited “one-stop” security setup at its Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) home base.
As part of the trial setup, DFW-bound passengers from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) will be able to skip the baggage and security recheck before heading off to catch a connection. That eliminates one of the most inconvenient parts of returning to the U.S. after a long flight.
Dallas-bound travelers from London will go through passport control right on the jet bridge as they deplane, American executives told TPG this spring. Then, they'll be free to head to their connecting gate — and their bags will transfer seamlessly.
It's a change that American's top DFW official called a "game changer" last month.
"This will be incredibly efficient for our U.S. connecting customers at DFW to move on toward their next departure," Jim Moses, senior vice president of DFW hub operations, told TPG in a June interview.
When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight
A time-consuming process eliminated
For years, passengers making a flight connection after an international trip have faced an arduous set of requirements.
First, they have to deplane and make the trek to passport control. Then, travelers have to pick their checked bag up off the carousel, and recheck it, before proceeding to a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint for an additional security check — almost as if they'd only just arrived at the airport.
But for more than a year, TPG has reported the TSA was working with airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to slim down those security requirements for passengers making a connection after arriving in the U.S. from certain, approved international airports. Heathrow proved to be the first.
American expected this new program to cut connection times in half for passengers connecting at its North Texas megahub after its five daily flights from Heathrow.
It's likely more airports will see similar time-saving measures soon.
By the end of July, Delta Air Lines expects to pilot a similar program by the end of this month for flyers departing London and then connecting at its Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) home base, a spokesperson told TPG Tuesday.
American has also said it hopes to expand one-stop security protocols to more airports beyond DFW — namely, each of its major U.S. hubs.
Passengers can already save time in London
As part of the new setup — a partnership with the United Kingdom — travelers are already enjoying a similarly streamlined security process in London.
Last winter, the U.K.'s Department for Transport started allowing Heathrow-bound passengers from DFW and Atlanta to skip the security recheck before catching a connecting flight in London.
American estimated the Heathrow one-stop program is already saving travelers up to 45 minutes at the major European hub.
The TSA and CBP are also expected to ink deals with additional countries for one-stop security protocols.
American is already working with Australia on a more limited setup that allows passengers flying to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Sydney to skip the bag recheck at LAX ... though those passengers do still have to reclear security, at least for now.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations
