New Arrival and Departure Initiatives

The new initiative will save time and reshape how international travelers move through US airports.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) believes its One Stop Security pilot program will make international travel into the United States simpler and speedier.The TSA shared  information about the initiative in a recent press release. The agency detailed that international visitors arriving in the US from “certain foreign airports” will be able to skip going through TSA re-screening to catch connecting flights. Their checked baggage will also be exempt from a second screening and expedited to the next leg of their journey. The two carriers that were selected to participate in the One Stop Security pilot program were American Airlines with their hub at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Delta Air Lines with their hub at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL).

Delta and American were selected to participate in the first TSA One-Stop Security pilot program.

The pilot project, which started with two flights from London Heathrow (LHR) into the above-named airports, aims to simplify the travel experience by eliminating the need for passengers to re-collect and re-check baggage and go through security again after clearing US Customs. In collaboration with officials in the United Kingdom, the TSA worked with US Customs and Border Protection to launch the initiative.

The stringent security measures in place at London Heathrow satisfied standards for this TSA project.

No announcement has yet been made about any other international US airports which might collaborate with the TSA on the One Stop Security program in the future. However, the agency notes that “participating foreign airports” would have to meet TSA standards. For foreign airports to participate in the TSA's One Stop Security program, they must meet security standards equivalent to TSA's own. This would involve a pilot assessment where the TSA and its international partners confirm that the foreign airport's security measures are comparable to those of the United States, ensuring a high level of safety for passengers and baggage.

The program hopes to alleviate congestion like this scene from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

In addition to minimizing congestion at participating US airports, the initiative aims to reduce costs, optimize security, and enhance the passenger experience.“One Stop Security is TSA’s latest common-sense approach to streamlining the passenger journey while also bolstering aviation security,” said Adam Stahl, the agency’s Chief of Staff. “International air travel can often be a challenging and time-consuming process. It’s our goal to simplify this experience while maintaining the highest levels of security. We believe One Stop Security is an important step in that direction and helps us advance President Trump’s vision for a new Golden Age of American travel, while ensuring the homeland is safe and secure.”

Under the current protocol, Clear personnel verify identity and escort passengers to TSA security.

In terms of departures, some of the country’s busiest hubs are starting to trial the new biometric eGates, which don’t require handing over our ID and can be accessed by travelers who have Clear Plus memberships. Biometric eGates are being piloted at three airports with more expected to launch the system in the future. This new system is an opt-in feature for Clear Plus members and could make TSA security checks even quicker for departures. In mid-August, TSA joined with private security screening company Clear and began introducing biometric eGates at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). To use the gates, travelers with a Clear Plus membership scan their boarding pass and wait while the device uses biometric facial recognition to verify their identity, which takes a few seconds. Once verified, the eGate opens, and the passenger can proceed directly to the security checkpoint, bypassing the TSA podium. Typically, Clear staffers have to physically escort members to the TSA podium for document verification, which often undercuts the promise of a rapid and seamless experience.

Travelers desire faster security lines and reduced wait times, driving the adoption of new systems.  

For travelers, the system promises two major enhanced perks: greater speed and convenience. Instead of waiting to show an agent your documents, the eGate handles the check automatically. The TSA still oversees the process (and will be there to help passengers who encounter issues), but reaching the carry-on baggage screening area is meant to be faster and smoother with the new technology. And who can argue with that? Speed at the security checkpoint is often cited as travelers' number one concern.

After registering their biometric data, Singapore passengers can access passport-free clearance.

If the eGate idea sounds familiar, it’s because it echoes systems already in place abroad. Many international airports, including those in Singapore, Amsterdam, and London, use biometric eGates at immigration to streamline passport control. The difference here is that these US eGates are at the security checkpoint for departures, not at international border control, and they’re currently limited to travelers who pay for a Clear Plus membership, which now costs $209 per year. (Some credit cards such as the Centurion and Platinum cards from American Express cover the charge.)

FIFA anticipates between 5 and 6.5 million fans will attend World Cup 2026 to be played across the US.

It’s also worth noting how this differs from TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, another biometric program travelers may have encountered recently. Touchless ID, available at select airports, including Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and 12 other major US airports, allows PreCheck members to scan their face at a TSA podium instead of handing over a license or boarding pass. But, those systems are staffed by officers and are integrated into the TSA PreCheck lane. By contrast, the new eGates are automated entry points. They are more akin to a turnstile at passport control than a staffed checkpoint. Unlike similar programs overseas, TSA officials emphasized that this rollout comes at no cost to taxpayers: Clear paid for the technology, while TSA retains authority over all security operations. The program launches as US  airports brace for record passenger volumes, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to 11 American cities (as well as those in Canada and Mexico), along with the US 250th Anniversary, both of which are expected to bring record domestic and international crowds. For now, the rollout is limited to three airports, but TSA and Clear said that expansion is likely if the pilot proves successful.

For frequent fliers who already pay for Clear Plus, the new eGates could make an early-morning dash through the airport a little less stressful. For all airport goers, it’s a distinct preview of how biometric technology will continue to shape the airport experience in coming years.

Until next time…safe travels.