New US Immigration & TSA OSS Program by American Airlines Is Incomplete

On July 17, 2025, a new pilot program called One Stop Security (OSS) launched at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), marking a notable change in how some international travelers connect to domestic flights in the United States 🇺🇸. This update explains what has changed, who is affected, what actions travelers need to take, and what these changes mean for people with pending travel plans or immigration applications. The OSS program is a joint effort by American Airlines, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the UK Department for Transport (DfT). However, it is important to understand that OSS is still in a very limited pilot phase and is not yet available to most travelers.

Summary of What Changed

The OSS program is designed to make connecting from certain international flights to domestic flights in the United States 🇺🇸 much faster and easier. As of July 17, 2025, OSS is only available for passengers arriving on American Airlines flight AA51 from London Heathrow (LHR) to DFW who are connecting onward to another U.S. city. Eligible passengers can now:

• Clear U.S. passport control right at the arrival gate, instead of going through the main CBP hall.
• Skip baggage claim and rechecking; their checked bags are automatically transferred to their next flight.
• Avoid going through TSA security screening again before their domestic connection.

This means that for these specific travelers, the process of connecting to a domestic flight at DFW is much faster and less stressful. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, connection times for eligible passengers are reduced by more than 50%.

Who Is Affected

The OSS program currently affects a very small group of travelers:

• Only passengers arriving on American Airlines flight AA51 from London Heathrow to DFW who are connecting to another U.S. city.
• Passengers whose final destination is Dallas are not eligible for OSS and must follow the standard arrival process.
• OSS does not apply to any other international arrival flights, airports, or airlines at this time.

If you are traveling on a different flight, arriving from another country, or ending your journey in Dallas, you will still need to go through the usual process: clear immigration in the main CBP hall, collect your checked bags, recheck them for your next flight, and go through TSA security screening again.

Effective Dates

• OSS launched on July 17, 2025.
• As of July 23, 2025, OSS remains available only for American Airlines flight AA51 from London Heathrow to DFW for connecting passengers.
• There is no official timeline for when OSS will expand to other flights, airports, or airlines.

Required Actions for Travelers

If you are eligible for OSS (arriving on AA51 from London Heathrow and connecting onward at DFW):

1. Follow signs and instructions upon arrival: You will be directed to a special gate area for OSS processing.
2. Complete passport control at the gate: U.S. CBP officers will check your documents right at the arrival gate.
3. Proceed directly to your connecting flight: You do not need to collect your checked bags or go through TSA security again.
4. Check your connecting flight details: Make sure you know your next gate and departure time.

If you are not eligible for OSS, follow the standard arrival procedures:

• Go to the main CBP hall for immigration checks.
• Collect your checked bags at baggage claim.
• Recheck your bags for your next flight.
• Go through TSA security screening before heading to your domestic gate.

Implications for Pending Applications and Future Travelers

For most international travelers, especially those with pending visa or immigration applications, the OSS program does not change the standard arrival process. You should continue to prepare for the usual steps when entering the United States 🇺🇸:

• Have your travel documents ready for CBP inspection.
• Be prepared to collect and recheck your luggage if you have a connecting flight.
• Allow enough time between flights to complete all required steps, as OSS is not available for most travelers.

If you are planning to travel on American Airlines flight AA51 from London Heathrow to DFW and have a domestic connection, you may benefit from the OSS program. However, always check with American Airlines or DFW Airport before your trip to confirm your eligibility and any updates to the program.

Step-by-Step OSS Process for Eligible Passengers

Here is a simple breakdown of how the OSS process works for those who qualify:

1. Arrive at DFW on AA51 from LHR: After landing, you are guided to a special OSS gate area.
2. Passport Control at the Gate: U.S. CBP officers check your passport and documents right at the gate, instead of the main immigration hall.
3. No Baggage Claim or Recheck: Your checked bags are automatically moved to your next domestic flight. You do not need to pick them up or recheck them.
4. No TSA Security Re-screening: You skip the usual TSA security check for your connecting flight.
5. Proceed to Your Connecting Flight: You go straight to your next gate, saving a lot of time.

Policy Implications and Practical Effects

The OSS program is a big step for international travelers who often face long waits and tight connections when arriving in the United States 🇺🇸. By allowing eligible passengers to clear immigration at the gate, skip baggage claim, and avoid TSA re-screening, OSS can cut connection times by more than half. This makes it easier for people to catch their next flight and reduces the stress of international travel.

David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer of American Airlines, said the program could “cut connection times by more than half” and called it “one of the most forward-thinking enhancements” for international travel. DFW Airport has invested in new systems and infrastructure to support OSS, showing its commitment to being a leading global hub.

Security remains a top priority. Both CBP and TSA are closely involved in the OSS program, making sure all safety standards are met. Advanced technology and trusted partners help manage baggage and passenger processing, so the process is both fast and secure.

How OSS Differs from Other Programs

OSS is not the same as other programs like International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS). For example, IRBS, which started on the Sydney-LAX route in April 2025, allows for automatic baggage transfer but still requires passengers to go through immigration and TSA security. OSS is the first U.S. program to remove both of these steps for eligible connecting passengers.

Limitations, Incompleteness, and Criticisms

While OSS is a big improvement for some, it is still very limited:

• Only one flight is included: AA51 from London Heathrow to DFW, and only for connecting passengers.
• No timeline for expansion: There are no official plans or dates for adding more flights, airports, or airlines.
• Not available for arrivals from other countries or for passengers ending their trip in Dallas.
• Most travelers see no change: The vast majority of international arrivals still have to follow the traditional process.

Some travel experts and media outlets have called OSS “incomplete,” saying it does not go far enough to fix the bigger problems with U.S. international transit. They point out that real change will require a much broader rollout.

Historical Context and Comparison

Other countries have similar programs, like U.S. preclearance in Canada 🇨🇦 and Abu Dhabi, where travelers clear U.S. immigration before boarding their flight. However, OSS is the first program of its kind for U.S. domestic connections from a country without preclearance. Previous efforts, like American Airlines’ IRBS and earlier OSS pilots at Heathrow, helped lay the groundwork but did not remove all steps for passengers.

Future Outlook and Pending Developments

There is hope that OSS will expand to more flights and airports in the future. American Airlines and DFW Airport have said they want to grow the program, but as of July 23, 2025, there are no concrete plans or dates. The current pilot will be carefully reviewed for how well it works, how secure it is, and how happy passengers are before any expansion happens.

If OSS proves successful, it could become a model for other U.S. airlines and airports, possibly changing the way international-to-domestic connections work across the country. For now, travelers should watch for updates and be aware that OSS is still in its early stages.

Multiple Perspectives and Expert Analysis

• Travel industry analysts praise OSS as a “game-changer” for those who can use it, but warn that its narrow scope means most travelers will not benefit yet.
• Security experts stress that OSS’s success depends on strong cooperation between agencies and reliable technology to keep U.S. borders safe.
• Passenger advocates welcome the faster connections but call for more transparency and a quicker rollout to help more people.

Quantitative Data and Statistics

• Connection time reduction: More than 50% for eligible passengers.
• OSS launch date: July 17, 2025, for AA51 LHR-DFW only.
• No published figures on how many passengers have used OSS or when it might expand.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

For the most up-to-date information about OSS and related travel procedures, visit these official sites:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• TSA
• American Airlines Newsroom
• DFW Airport

You can also contact American Airlines customer service or DFW Airport’s international arrivals desk for direct help with your travel plans.

Caveats and Limitations

• OSS is a pilot program, not a full solution for all travelers.
• There is no set timeline for expansion, so most people should not expect OSS benefits on other routes or airlines soon.
• Traditional arrival procedures remain in place for nearly all other international arrivals.

Actionable Takeaways and Next Steps

• Check your eligibility: OSS is only for connecting passengers on American Airlines flight AA51 from London Heathrow to DFW.
• Plan for the usual process: Unless you are on this specific flight and connecting onward, expect to follow the standard arrival steps.
• Stay informed: Watch for updates from American Airlines, DFW Airport, and official government sources about possible expansion of OSS.
• Allow enough time: If you are not eligible for OSS, make sure to leave plenty of time between flights to complete immigration, baggage claim, and security screening.
• Ask for help if needed: Use official resources or contact customer service if you have questions about your travel plans or eligibility for OSS.

Conclusion

The launch of the One Stop Security program at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is a promising step toward making international travel smoother for some passengers. By allowing eligible travelers to clear passport control at the gate, skip baggage claim, and avoid TSA re-screening, OSS can save a lot of time and stress. However, as reported by VisaVerge.com, the program is still very limited and does not help most travelers yet. There is no set timeline for when OSS might expand, so most people should continue to prepare for the traditional arrival process. For now, OSS is a pilot program that shows what the future of international-to-domestic connections in the United States 🇺🇸 could look like if it proves successful and is expanded in the coming years.

Learn Today

One Stop Security (OSS) → A pilot program simplifying international to domestic connections in the U.S. at DFW airport.
CBP → U.S. Customs and Border Protection, managing passport control and border security.
TSA → Transportation Security Administration, responsible for airport security screening in the U.S.
AA51 → American Airlines flight operating from London Heathrow to Dallas-Fort Worth involved in OSS pilot.
Connection Times → Duration it takes for passengers to transfer between connecting flights during travel.

This Article in a Nutshell

The OSS pilot at DFW revolutionizes international-to-domestic connections for AA51 passengers by enabling gate passport control, automatic baggage transfer, and skipping TSA re-screening, significantly reducing connection times and stress. Currently limited but promising, it could reshape U.S. international travel if successful and expanded beyond this initial route.
— By VisaVerge.com