Latest news with #LondonHeathrow
Condé Nast Traveler
4 days ago
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
A New TSA Service Simplifies Airport Connections From Europe to the US
Starting this summer, one frustrating airport security process is getting simpler for travelers. From the end of July onwards, connecting passengers flying from London Heathrow to two of the biggest international airports in the US will save a lot of time between flights, thanks to a new program called One Stop Security. The new program means that when connecting travelers arrive into the US, they will no longer need to go through a second TSA checkpoint or recheck their bags before proceeding to their next flight. Instead, the connection will be as simple as those for domestic flights. Here's everything to know about the new initiative. How does it work? The program is a joint undertaking between American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, TSA, US Customs and Border Protection, and the Department for Transport. For now, the streamlined One Stop Security screening is only available on flights departing London Heathrow for Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta aboard those two US airlines. American Airlines was the first carrier to launch the program this month on its daily flight from London to Dallas-Fort Worth. Passengers with a layover on that route, American Airlines flight 51, will clear customs in a special area at their arrival gate and proceed directly to their connecting flight without needing to reclaim their baggage, go through a second TSA checkpoint, or recheck their luggage. Instead, checked luggage will be sent directly to passengers' final destinations. American says that the new protocols will cut connection times by 50%. Later in July, Delta Air Lines will also join the program, giving its fliers access to streamlined layovers on its route from London Heathrow to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. But its procedures will be slightly different. Only connecting customers with a Global Entry membership or the Mobile Passport Control app, which is run by US Customs and Border Protection and only available to US citizens and permanent residents, can bypass the second security checkpoint. Travelers who meet those requirements can proceed directly to their connecting flight. Delta says it already offers this service on the eastbound leg of the route for customers departing Atlanta and connecting through Heathrow. The OSS pilot program launched in the reverse direction this February, allowing passengers on flying on Delta (or its SkyTeam partner Virgin Atlantic) from Atlanta and connecting through London Heathrow Terminal 3 or 5 to skip the security and baggage recheck and proceed to their next flight. Passengers flying on American Airlines (or on its Oneworld partner British Airways) from Dallas-Fort Worth to London Heathrow Terminal 3 or 5 have also been able to bypass the security and baggage rechecks since February and proceed directly to their connecting flight. Now with the expansion of the program, all connecting travelers on Delta's London to Atlanta route (Delta flight 5999) will be spared from reclaiming and rechecking their bags. 'Through International Remote Baggage Screening, checked bags will be screened overseas and forwarded directly to the final destination, eliminating baggage recheck and customs clearance in Atlanta,' a Delta spokesperson tells Condé Nast Traveler. The new shift will save passengers up to 40 minutes, the airline says. Where is One Stop Security offered? By the end of July, One Stop Security will be offered on two routes: American Airlines flights from London Heathrow to Dallas-Fort Worth, and Delta flights from London Heathrow to Atlanta. There are plans to expand the service to more airports in the near future. The TSA's deputy administrator said in a recent interview that more international airports would be brought into the initiative over the next several months. Meanwhile, American Airlines says it 'plans to explore' ways to expand the program to more flights and US airports. Experts in the travel industry have lauded the new simplified program. 'One Stop Security is a smart, long-overdue step toward modernizing the travel experience, eliminating redundant screening, cutting connection times and unlocking more international air service,' US Travel President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement. 'Paired with stronger airport staffing, long-awaited air traffic control upgrades and the end of the shoe removal rule, this is real progress toward a world-class travel system just in time for America 250, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics.'
Travel Weekly
6 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
One-Stop program at DFW clears international travelers at their gate
In a first-of-its-kind implementation at a U.S. airport, connecting travelers arriving into Dallas-Fort Worth on American Airlines flights from London Heathrow can now clear customs at their arrival gate and proceed directly to their next flight. Customs agents are deployed to the arriving gate to clear connecting passengers; meanwhile, officials at Heathrow will have sent images of the checked baggage on that flight for U.S. customs agents to review prior to the airplane's arrival. The upshot: Passengers don't have to go back through security to connect onward, and their bags will be checked through to their final destination. The initiative is part of the One-Stop Security pilot program, which Congress established in 2022. The TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are leading the program, partnering on this first inbound implementation with American, Dallas-Fort Worth and Heathrow. A related trial for flyers arriving at Heathrow and then connecting on to a third country began Feb. 4. Eligible passengers either arrived from Dallas on American or from Atlanta on Delta or Virgin Atlantic. American said the new implementation in Dallas is expected to cut connection times by at least half. This month it is flying five times daily from Heathrow to Dallas. Atlanta is expected to be the next location for an inbound One-Stop Security program trial, for Delta and Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow. The enabling legislation allows for up to five other tests at foreign airports to be conducted before the end of 2028 as well as further tests at U.S. airports. One-stop Security advocates tout the program not only for its obvious travel benefits but also to enhance safety by better aligning international security standards. In a statement July 23, the U.S. Travel Association said it had been advocating for the implementation and expansion of One-Stop Security in order to eliminate duplicative screenings and create a more seamless travel experience.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- The Independent
What is an ETA and how can European visitors to the UK apply for the new visa?
The vast majority of overseas visitors to the United Kingdom must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance. The Home Office says it is creating 'a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year". The government says: 'Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa.' Most leisure and business travellers to the UK do not need a visa. But starting from 2 April 2025, almost all these overseas visitors, are now required to have an ETA. (Non-Europeans already needed the permit, but a large majority of visitors to the UK are from the EU.) The exceptions are Irish citizens, and people who 'have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)'. Ministers say rolling out the scheme worldwide will 'prevent abuse of our immigration system'. But under pressure from London Heathrow airport, they have dropped the bizarre requirement for passengers merely in 'airside' transit for a couple of hours to obtain an ETA. These are the key questions and answers. What is the ETA? The United Kingdom, in common with many other countries, is demanding more information in advance from prospective visitors before they board planes, ships or trains to Britain – or drive across the border from Ireland to Northern Ireland. The government says: 'This will ensure we have information on those seeking to come to the UK helping to prevent dangerous individuals, such as criminals, entering the UK.' The starting point of the journey to the UK is not relevant; what counts is the traveller's nationality. At present a relatively small number of arrivals do not qualify for 'visa-free' status. They must go through the complex and expensive business of applying for an eVisa. Until the Electronic Travel Authorisation was launched, everyone else just turned up. But now almost every foreign visitor must obtain the ETA, with the exception of Irish citizens. As with the US Esta scheme, and similar systems used by Canada and Australia, applications must be made online in one of two ways: Via the app: search for 'UK eta ' on the Apple app store or Google Play. Through the official website. Applicants must supply a photograph and answer a set of questions on 'suitability and criminality'. The ETA is linked to the traveller's passport. The cost is £16 payable by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The permit is valid for repeated stays of up to six months at a time within two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. How long does an ETA take to issue? The Home Office says: 'You will usually get a decision within three working days. Most people get a much quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than three working days.' In practice, as with Australian and Canadian permits, most decisions will be made and the permit issued within minutes. Surprisingly, you need not have been issued with the pass at the time you start a journey to the UK. The Home Office says: 'You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision.' This loophole could be extremely helpful to passengers who do not realise they need an ETA when they turn up at an airport, seaport or international rail terminal to travel to the UK. They can make an application on the spot, which will enable them meet the condition for continuing their journey. What if an ETA is declined? It depends why the application was turned down. If a person's ETA application is rejected because of an error they made, they will be told the reason and can apply again. If a person's ETA application is refused because they are regarded as unsuitable, they cannot appeal. People who have a criminal record or were previously refused entry into the UK are advised to apply for a standard visitor visa instead. Who checks the traveller has the ETA? For the majority of travellers, airlines and ferry companies are expected to verify the ETA status before the passenger boards a flight or ship to the UK. They will be penalised if they fail to check. The government says: 'Where an inadequately documented arrival (IDA) is brought to the UK, the carrier may be liable for a fine of up to £2,000.' Ferries from France to Dover, Eurostar trains to London, and Eurotunnel shuttles to Folkestone have 'juxtaposed controls' and UK Border Force staff will check the permit while the traveller is in Continental Europe. The glaring gap in the UK Border is Northern Ireland. A tourist to the Republic of Ireland who inadvertently or deliberately strays into Northern Ireland is legally obliged to have an ETA, but there is no indication how their status will be checked. Does the ETA guarantee entry to the UK? No. The Home Office says: 'An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. You still need to either: see a Border Force officer. use an ePassport gate.' How does the cost compare with other countries? The £16 fee is mid-range, and the same as a US Esta currently. In ascending order of cost: Australia issues free eVisitor permits. Canada's eta costs C$7 (£4) and is valid for up to five years. The US Esta costs $21 (£16) for up to two years, but is reported to be rising soon to $40 (£30). Europe's much-delayed Etias scheme is set to cost €20 (£17) for up to three years. New Zealand's NZeTA is NZ$17 (£8) for up to two years. But it requires a further payment of NZ$100 (£44) as the International Visitor Levy (NZ$6 more if you apply on the website rather than the app). Commercial sites that pay search engines to rank ahead of the official site have already appeared. They include one called which appears to be based in Florida, and charges up to $99.99 (£78) on top of the fee. Do transit passengers need an ETA? Not if they are remaining 'airside', ie not going through the UK Border and remaining in the transit area at London Heathrow or Manchester airport. But anyone going through passport control – for example, landing at Gatwick and later flying out from Luton – will need one. Common Travel Agreement.
Free Malaysia Today
18-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Air India to restore some international flights following reduction over crash
As part of the partial resumption, Air India has reduced flights to some destinations in Europe and North America. (Air India pic) BENGALURU : Air India said on Tuesday it would partially restore its international flight schedule that was scaled back following the crash involving its flight last month that killed 260 people. As part of the restoration, Air India will start a thrice-weekly service between Ahmedabad and London Heathrow from Aug 1 to Sept 30, replacing the currently operating five-times-a-week flights between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick. A Boeing Dreamliner bound for London from the Indian city of Ahmedabad began to lose thrust and crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. All but one of the 242 people on board and 19 others on the ground were killed. Air India reduced some of its international flights following the crash as part of a 'safety pause' that the carrier said allowed it to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft. The partial service resumption will see some flights being restored from Aug 1, with full restoration planned from Oct 1, 2025, Air India said. As part of the partial resumption, Air India has reduced flights to some destinations in Europe and North America. These include reductions in the frequency of Delhi-to-Paris flights to seven times a week from 12, effective Aug 1. Flights on the Delhi-Milan route have been reduced to three times a week from four earlier. The frequency of flights from Mumbai and Delhi to New York JFK has been cut to six times a week from seven earlier, the airline said.
Bloomberg
15-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Air India to Restore Schedule in August After Reducing Flights Over Crash
By Siddharth Philip and Save Air India will begin restoring its schedule starting next month after the airline reduced flights following the deadly crash of a Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner in June. The carrier will increase its services to London Heathrow, Tokyo and Zurich from Delhi, and add more flights to Seoul from September, it said in a statement on Tuesday. The airline aims to have its full timetable in place by October 1 after the June 12 crash prompted it to reduce flights as part of a 'safety pause,' it said.
