I’ve flown to the States more times than I’ve had Ryanair delays (and that’s saying something), but this time, I did something different: I routed through Dublin. I also got the chance to review The Liffey Lounge, which you can read here. I went not for the Guinness or a cheeky airport pint, but to try out something aviation nerds rave about US Preclearance at Dublin Airport.
And let me tell you – it’s efficient, weird, and left me with a few very big questions.
In This Post
What on Earth Is US Preclearance?
It sounds like something out of a dystopian airport novel, but the concept is actually simple: you clear US customs and immigration before you even board the flight. That means when you land in America, you’re treated like a domestic passenger – no passport queues, no grumpy border agents, no “Why are you here?” interrogation. You grab your bags and waltz out like you’ve just flown in from Denver, not Dublin.
So… Why Does This Exist?
Two main reasons:
- Security and control. The US likes to know who’s coming in before they set foot on US soil. By pre-clearing passengers abroad, the US reduces the risk of inadmissible travellers reaching the United States.
- Airport logistics. US airports are famously congested, so preclearing folks abroad means smoother arrivals, less pressure on customs staff, and fewer “Oh god, the queue’s an hour-long” moments.
Where Else Offers It?
Besides Ireland (Dublin and Shannon), you can preclear in:
- Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and more)
- Aruba
- The Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Abu Dhabi (AUH) – yep, Etihad flyers to the US get the royal treatment
There have been murmurs of expansion to places like London Heathrow, Manchester, and even Tokyo Narita – but those projects are more pipe dream than preclearance for now.
But Let’s Talk About the Weird Bits
I was genuinely impressed, but also a bit baffled. Here’s what didn’t quite sit right:
1. Double Security? Really?
You clear standard EU airport security first (laptops out, liquids in a sad little plastic bag), but just when you think you’re done, BAM. You go through another security check before entering the US preclearance zone.
There’s no body scanner this time, but your bags go through the X-ray, your shoes come off (again), and your dignity is gently placed in a tray. Why two checkpoints? Who knows. The first one doesn’t seem to be trusted by the second, which says a lot about airport bureaucracy.
2. Domestic Arrival = No Arrival Security
This is the real kicker. You land in the US as a domestic passenger. There are no customs or immigration checks, and no one checks whether your face matches your passport. This is great for speed, but it is also great for anyone with dodgy intentions.
Because you’ve precleared, you can literally walk off the plane, grab a bag from the carousel, and leave. And guess what? So can anyone else. Most US airports have zero arrival-side security. If someone wanted to stroll in, blend with the crowd, and nick a bag, there’s not much stopping them.
It’s a wild contrast: fortress-level scrutiny before boarding and a total free-for-all on the other side.
Final Approach
Is the Dublin Airport Preclearance a win? Absolutely. Skipping immigration queues in the US is a dream. I’d fly via Dublin again in a heartbeat just for that.
But would I like to see it rolled out more widely? Yes – with a caveat. The model works, but it needs tweaks. Streamlining double security and bolstering arrival-side protocols would make the experience even better and safer.
It works, but it’s not without its blind spots – and the arrival setup is one of them.
