United Launches Remote Baggage Screening for International Connections
United Airlines has launched the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS) program on select international flights. The initiative allows connecting passengers to bypass the traditional step of collecting and re-checking baggage at their first U.S. arrival point, streamlining the connection process.
The IRBS process is currently available for customers traveling on United’s daily Sydney (SYD) to San Francisco (SFO) service with onward connections to other U.S. destinations. Passengers check their baggage at Sydney as usual, clear customs, immigration, and agriculture inspections at San Francisco, and proceed directly to security screening for their connecting flight. Their checked bags are automatically transferred to the connecting flight and can be collected at the final destination, unless referred for additional inspection.
United is working with Sydney Airport, BagCheck, and Brock Solutions to deliver this program. The airline plans to expand the service to additional routes over time.
CBP’s IRBS contributes to United’s initiatives aimed at enhancing the passenger experience. Earlier this year, United introduced updated mobile app features to assist travelers with connections at U.S. hub airports, including real-time gate-to-gate navigation, flight status updates, and connection notifications.
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