NEW YORK— Passengers traveling with Qatar Airways (QR) from Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) can now enjoy a faster connection experience after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expanded its International Remote Baggage Screening program to the airline’s New York service.
The initiative removes one of the most time-consuming parts of international transit for eligible travelers.
Previously, passengers arriving in the United States on an international flight had to clear immigration, collect checked baggage, pass through customs, and immediately recheck their luggage before continuing to a domestic or international connection.
Under the new system, eligible Qatar Airways passengers can bypass the baggage reclaim process, reducing transfer times while maintaining U.S. security requirements.
Qatar Airways Passengers Skip Baggage
The expanded program allows CBP officers to review baggage screening images before an aircraft lands in the United States.
Every checked bag departing Doha is screened using advanced X-ray technology, and the images are securely transmitted to U.S. officials while the flight is en route.
If CBP determines that no additional inspection is necessary, the bag is automatically transferred to the passenger’s connecting flight. Only luggage selected for further examination must be collected at the baggage carousel and presented for inspection after arrival.
This process eliminates the need for thousands of connecting passengers to reclaim and recheck baggage during every transit. It also helps reduce congestion in customs areas while improving the overall passenger experience.
Faster JFK Connections Through CBP Program
The latest expansion follows successful deployments of the same technology on selected American Airlines and Delta Air Lines international routes.
The first trial began on American Airlines services between Sydney and Los Angeles before expanding to Delta flights from Seoul Incheon to Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Detroit.
According to Delta, the program has reduced average connection times by approximately 25 minutes for eligible passengers. Officials expect similar benefits for Qatar Airways travelers connecting through New York JFK, particularly those continuing to destinations across North America.
The initiative has been introduced alongside Qatar Airways’ move to JFK’s New Terminal One, where the airline is partnering with CBP and airport authorities to modernize the international arrival process.
US Transit Modernization Through CBP Programs
International Remote Baggage Screening forms part of a broader effort by CBP to modernize the U.S. international transit experience without compromising border security.
The system depends on close cooperation between airlines, airport operators, and security agencies at departure airports to ensure all checked baggage undergoes approved screening before departure.
Another major initiative is One Stop Security, which allows eligible passengers to complete security screening at their origin airport and proceed directly into the departure area after clearing immigration in the United States.
The concept removes the need for passengers to pass through TSA screening again during transit.
One Stop Security currently remains available on only a limited number of international routes, but CBP continues to expand both programs as additional airports and airlines meet the required security standards, PYOK reported.
The addition of Qatar Airways marks another step toward creating a more seamless transit experience for international travelers while preserving strict customs and aviation security procedures.
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