American Airlines Partners with CBP to Launch Innovative International Remote Baggage Screening for a Seamless Global Travel Experience
(IN SHORT) American Airlines has partnered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to introduce International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS), a program designed to streamline the international travel process. Under this innovative initiative, passengers arriving on select flights will bypass the usual baggage claim and re-check process. After clearing CBP Passport Control, travelers will go directly to a TSA checkpoint, reducing connection times and enhancing the customer experience while maintaining stringent security standards. The pilot program will launch on American’s daily flight from Sydney (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX) and is expected to expand to other cities. American emphasizes that this new screening process does not alter existing security protocols. Key figures from American, CBP, and Sydney Airport have lauded the partnership for its potential to transform customs processing and improve travel efficiency, and the initiative is part of CBP’s broader Airport Modernization Plan. This program reinforces American Airlines’ role as the first airline to offer such a benefit, ensuring a smoother and more innovative international travel experience.
(PRESS RELEASE) FORT WORTH, TX, 2025-Apr-10 — /Travel PR News/ — American Airlines today announced a pioneering partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to revolutionize the international travel experience, setting a new standard for customer convenience while upholding robust security measures. In a groundbreaking move, American will implement International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS), a technology-driven program that eliminates the need for passengers to collect and recheck their baggage upon arrival in the U.S. Instead, after clearing CBP Passport Control, travelers will proceed directly to a TSA checkpoint before heading to their connecting flights. This new process, which builds on the One Stop Security program launched in February, leverages advanced technology to conduct baggage screening remotely, reducing connection times and streamlining the transit process—all without altering current screening requirements.
The pilot program is set to launch this week on American Airlines’ daily service from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), in collaboration with the Sydney Airport Authority, as well as vendor partners BagCheck and Brock Solutions. Both American and CBP expect to expand the initiative to additional cities in the near future.
Gary Tomasulo, Vice President of Global Corporate Security at American, stated, “We are excited to collaborate with CBP on this innovative initiative. By harnessing advanced technology and partnering with key stakeholders at Sydney Airport, we are enhancing security and creating a more streamlined baggage inspection process that makes global travel smoother and more convenient for our customers.”
Diane J. Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, emphasized, “As we modernize our processes, the International Remote Baggage Screening initiative represents a significant leap forward in providing international travelers with a secure and seamless experience.”
Graham White, Head of Security at Sydney Airport, added, “We are thrilled to support American Airlines and CBP as they launch this pilot, which is a prime example of how technology can transform customs and border processing by enhancing safety, efficiency, and service for transit passengers.”
This initiative is an integral part of CBP’s wider Airport Modernization Plan aimed at improving security and the travel experience at U.S. Federal Inspection Stations (FIS), reinforcing efforts to safeguard national security while ensuring efficient travel for citizens, trusted travelers, and international visitors.
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SOURCE: American Airlines
