United to sell self-tests to travelers
Flyers from Houston to some sites can pay $119 for virus kits
United Airlines said Monday that it’s launching mail-in COVID-19 testing for people traveling from Houston to Latin American and Caribbean destinations.
Starting on Dec. 7, customers flying out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will have the option to take a self-collected, mail-in test that meets local entry requirements for select destinations.
United was the first to announce a customer COVID-19 testing program and the first to offer free tests on flights across the Atlantic, said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United.
“Widespread testing is key to
unlocking international borders and safely reopening global travel,” Enqvist said. “This is particularly important for our customers in Houston who rely on United to keep them connected with their family and friends in Latin
America and the Caribbean.”
The COVID-19 test is $119 and will be administered by Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL) and processed at its COVID-19 testing laboratory in San
Antonio.
United will reach out to customers 14 days before their flights to provide instructions on ordering a test, and the local entry requirements for the location where they are traveling. Customers are advised to take the test 72 hours before departure and should expect to be emailed results within 48 hours of mailing in the tests
ADL’s self-collection kit includes a plastic tube, a nasal swab and instructions. ADL’s telehealth system will be available to support customers traveling to countries that require health care professionals to supervise the COVID-19 test.
Mayor Sylvester Turner praised the new program, calling it a step forward in the effort to bring the pandemic under control.
“Although a vaccine would be the ultimate solution, United’s expansion of its customer testing program is a step in the right di
rection,” Turner said. “I commend United for their leadership and forward thinking.”
The following destinations will have the mail-in testing option:
• Aruba (AUA)
• Belize City, Belize (BZE)
• Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
• Lima, Peru (LIM)
• Nassau, Bahamas (NAS)
• Panama City, Panama (PTY)
• Roatan, Honduras (RTB)
• San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP)
• San Salvador, El Salvador
(SAL)
• Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGU)