Delta Air Lines Enhances Travel Experience with International Remote Baggage Screening
Delta Air Lines has initiated a new service for select flights arriving in Atlanta from London Heathrow and Seoul Incheon airports, aimed at streamlining passenger travel and minimizing baggage handling hassles. Through a collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as the governments of South Korea and the United Kingdom, travelers can now enjoy a more efficient arrival process.
This innovative program allows Delta and Korean Air customers flying from Seoul to Atlanta—and Delta passengers traveling from London Heathrow to Atlanta and onward to connecting flights—to bypass the need to collect and recheck their bags at U.S. customs. This change is set to notably enhance the travel experience, particularly for those connecting flights originating from other cities in South Korea, as stated by Korean Air.
Time-saving Benefits for Travelers
Delta estimates that this new luggage protocol could save customers up to 25 minutes upon arriving in Atlanta. Additionally, those connecting in Atlanta from select flights from London Heathrow will have the option to dodge extra TSA screening, allowing them to proceed directly to their connecting gates, potentially saving up to 45 minutes. Delta notes that the rollout of this expedited option for flights from Heathrow will unfold over the coming weeks, as it has been successfully implemented for travelers connecting to Heathrow since February.
Eligibility Requirements for Streamlined Security
To qualify for the expedited security process, Delta passengers must enroll in Global Entry or utilize the Mobile Passport Control app. This initiative is part of the One-Stop Security pilot program, a project initiated by Congress in 2022, which aims to refine the airport security experience. The first implementation of this program began last month with American Airlines flights from Heathrow to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Furthermore, a related trial for eligible passengers connecting at Heathrow to other international destinations kicked off on February 4. This trial allows travelers arriving from Dallas on American Airlines or from Atlanta on Delta or Virgin Atlantic to benefit from these streamlined processes.
This innovation not only highlights Delta’s commitment to improving the travel experience but also contributes to a more seamless journey for international passengers.
Source: Business Travel News
