Passengers using Korean Air and Delta Airlines will experience simplified customs inspections and baggage re-check procedures at U.S. airports.
The two airlines announced on June 23 that they are expanding the International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS) service to flights from Seoul (Incheon) to Seattle and Los Angeles.
IRBS allows X-ray images of baggage destined for the U.S. to be sent remotely to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for pre-analysis. This system enables baggage inspections to be conducted while passengers are in transit, streamlining the arrival process upon landing.
Passengers on IRBS-enabled flights will be exempt from random baggage inspections and customs checks upon arrival in the U.S., allowing for quicker entry. Additionally, those connecting to other flights within the U.S. will not need to re-check their baggage at their first point of entry.
This means that their luggage will be automatically transferred to their final destination, a service known as Seamless Baggage Transfer (SBT). This can reduce connection times by up to 20 minutes, providing a more relaxed travel experience.
Travelers connecting through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) are expected to see significant improvements in convenience. Previously, they had to go through the process of arriving at the airport, collecting their baggage, going through customs, and re-checking their luggage for connecting flights. With IRBS, they can go directly to customs and board their connecting flights without retrieving their bags.
With this expansion of IRBS, Korean Air and Delta Airlines now offer seamless travel support at five major U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Los Angeles.
Passengers departing from Incheon International Airport, as well as those traveling to other countries and regions via Incheon, will benefit from this service. Connecting passengers will only need to check their bags at their initial departure airport and collect them at their final destination.
Ko Kwang-ho, head of Korean Air's Passenger Business Division, stated, "Korean Air is expanding connectivity between Korea and the U.S. based on our joint venture cooperation with Delta Airlines. We will continue to strive to provide our customers with a more convenient and consistent premium travel experience centered around Incheon International Airport."
Korean Air and Delta Airlines are participating in the IRBS project in collaboration with the U.S. government, having launched the service on the Seoul (Incheon)-Atlanta route in August of last year.
Since the introduction of IRBS, passenger convenience has improved significantly. The number of interactions with customs officials upon arrival in the U.S. has been reduced by over 65%, and many passengers who previously faced difficulties connecting to subsequent flights due to baggage re-checking have successfully made their connections.
The two airlines are considering expanding the service to other international airports in the future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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