American Airlines Leads the Nation in Seamless Travel Innovation with Launch of One Stop Security at DFW
American Airlines has made a landmark move in transforming the international travel landscape by becoming the first airline in the United States to implement the innovative One Stop Security (OSS) process, aimed at simplifying and expediting international-to-domestic connections. This pioneering step, developed in close collaboration with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport (DfT), redefines how travelers and their checked baggage transition through one of the busiest airports in the U.S.
Under this new program, customers arriving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and connecting through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — American Airlines’ largest hub — will experience a significantly streamlined process. Travelers using the OSS pathway will be able to clear U.S. Customs directly at their arrival gate, eliminating the need to go through the traditionally time-consuming steps of reclaiming baggage, rechecking it, and navigating through domestic security screening again.
This simplification marks a major milestone in American Airlines’ continuous efforts to improve the customer experience while maintaining rigorous security standards. Checked bags are now automatically transferred to passengers’ next flights without any action needed from the traveler. This not only saves time but also reduces stress, confusion, and congestion during layovers — a frequent concern for many international travelers connecting within the United States.
Transforming the Connection Process: One Stop Security in Action
The One Stop Security initiative is the first of its kind in the United States and is projected to reduce overall connection times by more than 50%. The traditional connection process — which requires passengers to navigate through multiple layers of screening and baggage handling — has long been a pain point for international travelers flying into the U.S. With OSS, American Airlines and its federal and international partners have reimagined this experience from the ground up.
Instead of a multi-step journey involving customs clearance, baggage claim, recheck, and a second pass through TSA security, travelers can now step off their international flight at DFW, clear customs at the gate itself, and head directly to their next departure gate. The elimination of intermediate stops not only speeds up transit but also enhances the predictability and comfort of travel, especially for those on tight layovers or traveling with young children or reduced mobility.
Behind the scenes, OSS integrates cutting-edge technology and process automation. In partnership with BagCheck and Brock Solutions, American Airlines has implemented a secure and efficient system that handles luggage seamlessly while ensuring compliance with the highest safety protocols. These collaborations also enable the airline to maintain operational efficiency while delivering a more personalized and passenger-centric journey.
A Collaborative Effort Driven by Innovation and Government Partnership
American Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer, David Seymour, praised the OSS program, highlighting its groundbreaking nature and the convenience it brings to passengers.
“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,” Seymour stated. “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.”
This initiative was only made possible through deep collaboration across multiple agencies and countries. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) played vital roles in adapting existing frameworks to enable OSS, ensuring all security protocols remained uncompromised while improving passenger throughput.
Both agencies’ commitment to enhancing traveler experience — while maintaining their core security mission — is reflected in their support for OSS. The successful pilot required creative problem-solving, alignment on complex technical and regulatory requirements, and the development of new workflows, including secure data sharing and coordinated baggage handling.
DFW Airport: A Model of Modern Infrastructure and Global Readiness
The decision to launch OSS at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport was no coincidence. As a major global hub and the central point in American Airlines’ vast network, DFW is well-positioned to support large-scale innovation. The airport’s investment in modern infrastructure, advanced security technologies, and integrated operational systems played a critical role in enabling the OSS rollout.
DFW’s infrastructure upgrades allow for the rapid and secure processing of both passengers and baggage from the arrival gate directly to connecting flights. The airport’s ability to adapt quickly to OSS requirements highlights its leadership among international airports when it comes to embracing technological innovation to improve passenger experience.
Through OSS, DFW reinforces its standing as a forward-looking, globally connected airport capable of supporting modern, efficient, and scalable passenger flow solutions.
International Roots: The Heathrow Pilot
The U.S. deployment of One Stop Security builds upon the success of an earlier pilot at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). At Heathrow, OSS was tested for travelers connecting to destinations outside the United Kingdom, creating the foundational blueprint for its expansion to U.S. gateways.
This earlier test run proved essential in demonstrating the feasibility of the concept and provided valuable insights into process optimization, passenger behavior, and interagency coordination. The successful transatlantic collaboration between U.K. and U.S. authorities laid the groundwork for OSS to become operational in the United States and underpins its continued expansion in the future.
Looking Ahead: A Scalable Vision for the Future of Travel
While the initial launch of OSS is limited to specific flights from LHR to DFW, American Airlines has plans to scale the program across its network. Future expansions could include additional international departure points and U.S. arrival hubs, gradually bringing the time-saving benefits of OSS to a larger portion of its international customer base.
This expansion aligns with American Airlines’ broader vision to lead the industry in customer-focused innovation. By continuously exploring new technologies and improving operational coordination, the airline is committed to making global travel more efficient, enjoyable, and accessible.
Moreover, OSS represents more than just a process improvement — it symbolizes a paradigm shift in how international travel is conceived and executed in the U.S. By bringing security screening and customs closer to the gate and out of the centralized system, the airline is addressing some of the most common pain points in the travel journey.
A New Era for International Connectivity
With One Stop Security now operational at DFW for arrivals from London Heathrow, American Airlines has redefined what is possible for international travelers connecting within the United States. Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and a customer-first mindset, the airline is creating a model for seamless international connections that others in the industry may soon follow.
As the global aviation sector continues to evolve, American’s OSS initiative represents a major leap forward in traveler experience — combining efficiency, convenience, and security in a way that sets a new standard for international air travel in the U.S. and beyond.