United Airlines announced the launch of a new US Customs and Borders Protection (CBP) initiative to streamline checked baggage operations on select international routes.
The International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS) screening aims to make the connecting experience easier and reduce potential missed connections.
The new process is currently available on United’s daily service from Sydney, Australia to San Francisco, with a connecting flight to a final destination.
Since launching, more than 160 passengers on each flight used the new process.
United says this has saved up to 45 minutes in their connection journey.
For travelers on connecting flights from an international journey it removes the need to pick-up checked bags at baggage claim and re-check them to their final destinations, unless specifically referred by CBP for further inspection.
As the flight is heading to the United States, United, CBP and TSA work together to screen checked bags and once the flight arrives, the bags are loaded onto connecting flights.
Travelers then simply pick-it up at baggage claim at their final destination.
“We’re streamlining the international arrival process by eliminating extra steps for travelers to pick-up and re-check their bags on connecting flights,” said Jennifer Schwierzke, United’s VP of Customer Operations Strategy and Execution.
“Together with CBP, we’re testing this new process on routes between Sydney and San Francisco and plan to expand to additional international routes in the months ahead.”
Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO said: “It’s a win for passengers – saving valuable time, making connections easier, and showing how Sydney Airport and our airline partners are working together for more seamless journeys.”
