AA Trialing Program That Will Drastically Cut Connecting Times for International Passengers

Updated: July 22, 2025, 5:51pm CDT

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AA Testing ‘One Stop Security’ at DFW Airport
Final Thoughts

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American Airlines has implemented a pilot program that allows select international passengers to pass through U.S. customs directly at their gate and automatically transfers their bags to connecting flights. This should dramatically reduce connecting times on international itineraries.

Let’s run through everything you need to know about this interesting new trial.

AA Testing ‘One Stop Security’ at DFW Airport

American Airlines is attempting to shake up the international travel experience for U.S.-bound passengers. It has partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.K. Department for Transport (DfT) to set up a new process that allows passengers originating at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and connecting through Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to clear customs and immigration at their arrival gate.

This means that passengers on these flights can immediately head to the gate for their connecting flight without having to enter the immigration hall — and without collecting and re-checking their luggage before passing through security again.

DFW airport overview — International connections at DFW are about to become much quicker for select passengers. Image Credit: Alberto Riva

“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,” said David Seymour, chief operating officer at American Airlines.

The airline says this program results from deep cooperation between the relevant federal agencies, American Airlines, and DFW Airport itself, which invested “in the infrastructure and operational systems needed to support [One Stop Security],” according to a press release.

The implementation of One Stop Security (OSS) at DFW follows its pilot on the other side of the Pond at Heathrow, which has been in place for several months.

Hot Tip:

Passing through the U.K.’s capital soon? Make sure you read our full guide on how to get between terminals at Heathrow Airport so you know where you’re going.

Connecting at a U.S. airport on international itineraries has long been a pain point for travelers. They are generally required to clear customs and immigration, collect their checked luggage, re-check that luggage, and go through another security screening before continuing to the terminal for their next flight.

This move from American is perhaps a signal that this could change for everyone in the not-so-distant future, despite OSS only being available for flights between DFW and Heathrow for the time being.

Final Thoughts

American’s One Stop Security pilot program should be exciting news for travelers who have begrudgingly gotten used to long connections after international flights. OSS should speed up this process dramatically, and we can’t wait to see it spread to more flights through more hubs in America’s network.