Delta expands one-stop baggage transfer to Seoul-Atlanta, cutting layover time for international connections
Delta Air Lines has broadened its one-stop baggage transfer program to cover Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) arrivals to Atlanta (ATL). Beginning now, passengers traveling on Delta or Korean Air flights from ICN to ATL won’t need to retrieve and recheck their checked bags for onward domestic connections. Bags will automatically transfer to the next flight, saving an estimated 25 minutes during layovers. Travelers, however, will still clear security before reaching their next gate.
What changes
– ICN → ATL on Delta or Korean Air: Checked baggage transfers automatically to the connecting flight; no baggage pickup and recheck required. Security recheck on arrival remains.
– The rest of Delta’s one-stop network remains unchanged in principle, with several routes already operating similarly between other hubs and international gateways.
How it works
– The new flow relies on cooperation between ICN’s security authorities and U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). ICN security officers send TSA agents the X-ray images of passengers’ checked baggage while the aircraft is en route to the United States. TSA reviews those images during the flight, reducing the need for a second baggage screening on arrival.
Context and broader network
– Delta has already implemented one-stop baggage/security procedures on other routes, such as London Heathrow arrivals to ATL/DFW and certain connections at Dallas/Fort Worth after LHR. The ICN expansion marks the program’s continued growth as travelers benefit from fewer steps and shorter layovers.
– In the current layout, some connections still require security rechecks at the destination, while the baggage itself moves directly to the next aircraft. An example is the SYD → LAX (American Airlines) path, where baggage transfers automatically but a security recheck is still required.
Industry impact and future outlook
– U.S. Customs and Border Protection and TSA indicate the program can improve efficiency and safety by streamlining transfers. Delta has signaled that it aims to eventually remove the security recheck requirement for Seoul–Atlanta travelers, further accelerating connections for international arrivals.
– For travelers, the change promises a smoother transit experience with less time spent in transfer procedures and more time at the destination or during layovers.
What travelers should know
– While baggage transfers are streamlined, passengers should still allow time for security screening and passport control as required.
– Those connecting from ICN to domestic U.S. flights on Delta or Korean Air should monitor their bags at initial check-in to confirm tagging and seamless handoff to the onward flight.
Overall takeaway
– The ICN-ATL baggage transfer expansion reflects a broader push toward more efficient, one-stop security and baggage handling across key international gateways, offering tangible benefits for smoother connections and shorter layovers. This is part of Delta’s ongoing effort to simplify international-to-domestic connections and potentially expand the program to additional routes in the future.