Korean Air announced that it has expanded its Seamless Baggage Transfer service with Delta Air Lines to two more US gateways, allowing passengers connecting through Incheon International Airport (ICN) to skip the baggage recheck process and save up to 20 minutes.
The service is now available on flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), bringing the total number of US airports offering the feature to five. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) have offered the service since it launched in August 2025.
How does Seamless Baggage Transfer work?
The system uses International Remote Baggage Screening technology to screen checked luggage at Incheon before the flight departs. US Customs and Border Protection reviews the scans remotely while the aircraft is in the air. When passengers land in the US, they can head directly to their connecting gate, just as they would on a domestic itinerary, while their bags are automatically transferred to their final destination.
Korean Air said that since launching on the Incheon-Atlanta route, the service has reduced customs interactions at US airports by more than 65%. It has also helped passengers make tight connections that would have been missed under the old recheck process.
A joint venture benefit
The expansion reflects ongoing efforts by Korean Air and Delta to improve the customer experience under their trans-Pacific joint venture.
Kwangho Ko, Senior Vice President at Korean Air, said the partnership continues to strengthen ties between Korea and the United States.
“Together, we are building a more connected global network through Incheon, giving customers greater convenience, more choices and a consistently elevated level of service throughout their journey,” Ko said.
Jeff Moomaw, Vice President for Asia Pacific at Delta Air Lines, said the expanded service makes US connections smoother.
“By expanding this service to Seattle and Los Angeles, we enable customers to move through US airports more efficiently and have more time to relax between flights,” Moomaw said.
The two airlines say they are exploring opportunities to bring Seamless Baggage Transfer to additional markets in the future. The service is available to Korean Air and Delta passengers connecting through Incheon from destinations across Asia to any of the five US gateways now covered.
