Korean Air and Delta expand IRBS to include flights to Seattle, Los Angeles

Korean Air and Delta Airlines are expanding International Remote Baggage Screenings (IRBS) to include flights from Incheon to Seattle and Los Angeles.

The addition of Seattle and Los Angeles to the trans-Pacific joint venture carriers’ coverage of IRBS for US-bound flights will enable passengers to proceed to their connecting flights upon arrival in the US without having to re-check their bags. First introduced on the Incheon and Atlanta route in August 2025, it is now available for passengers departing or connecting via Incheon from across Asia on five routes to the US: Atlanta, Minneapolis-St Paul, Detroit, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

“Our joint venture with Delta continues to strengthen connections between Korea and the United States,” said Kwangho Ko, Senior Vice President at Korean Air. “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.” 

“Seamless Baggage Transfer simplifies the connection experience for customers traveling to the United States,” said Jeff Moomaw, Vice President – Asia Pacific at Delta Air Lines. “By expanding this service to Seattle and Los Angeles, we enable customers to move through U.S. airports more efficiently and have more time to relax between flights.”

Launched by US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) in April 2025, the IRBS program allows passengers arriving in the US from foreign airports to continue to their connecting flights without re-checking their bags, unless specifically referred to by CBP for further inspection. CBP personnel will be able to view the same checked baggage x-ray images captured at the foreign airport of departure and review them remotely before the aircraft lands.

According to Korean Air, the participation in the program has reduced customs interactions at US airports by over 65%. Passengers save up to 20 minutes when connecting in the US.