USA TODAY International Edition
What to know about airlines’ COVID- 19 testing
Airlines hope a breakthrough to reassure passengers who are worried about contracting the coronavirus on flights is finally coming – the ability to offer testing.
On Tuesday, American Airlines joined JetBlue Airways, United and Hawaiian airlines in announcing it plans to provide tests that can prove passengers don’t have COVID- 19, allowing them to bypass quarantine restrictions depending on where they are traveling.
“Our plan for this initial phase of preflight testing reflects the ingenuity and care our team is putting into rebuilding confidence in air travel,” American Airlines President Robert Isom said in a statement.
The testing will be provided as a convenience to travelers. The airlines are not making them mandatory, and they are not free. Prices range from $ 80 to $ 250, depending on the airline and how the tests are done.
The plan falls short of some of the lofty hopes airlines voiced amid the coronavirus pandemic. Four of them called on the United States and European Union to create testing programs that would jump- start flights across the Atlantic.
“We believe it is critical to find a way to reopen air services between the U. S. and Europe.” United, American, Lufthansa and International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways, wrote in July.
Monday, President Donald Trump announced that 150 million rapid tests will be distributed to high- risk facilities such as nursing homes and to states and territories, although he didn’t mention the travel industry. Hawaii’s COVID- 19 Joint Information Center said the state, which plans to allow negative test results in lieu of quarantine for entry, doesn’t plan to use its allotment of tests for visitors.
How is it going to work?
It’s different for each airline. Depending on the airline, the tests can be administered at home or taken in person at clinics at or near designated airports. In United’s case, the test results are given to the passenger on paper or electronically to present to authorities in Hawaii.
American said it will offer rapid testing at Dallas- Fort Worth Interna
The testing will be provided as a convenience to travelers. The airlines are not making them mandatory, and they are not free.
tional Airport for Hawaii flights through a clinic chain called CareNow starting Oct. 15. It also will offer at- home testing through LetsGetChecked,
United is working with GoHealth Urgent Care and its partner Dignity Health, initiating testing from a single airport, San Francisco International, for flights to Hawaii. It is also offering athome tests with Color Genomics.
Hawaiian said Worksite Labs will have advance and day- of- travel test options. They will be available at drivethru locations near San Francisco International and Los Angeles International airports.
JetBlue is offering an at- home saliva test through Vault Health. It is administered through an online video connection to make sure it is done correctly.
Why is this happening?
Rapid testing, in particular, could help solve what has been one of the biggest problems for the travel industry: making sure no one who has COVID- 19 is allowed to board. One of the most sinister aspects of the virus is that some people carrying it are asymptomatic, not exhibiting a fever, cough or other symptoms that would get them turned away before boarding.
What will airline testing cost?
United is charging $ 250 at the airport or $ 80 for the at- home test, and passengers have to spring for overnight delivery. Hawaiian’s test is $ 90 for the advance test or $ 150 for day- of- travel express service. JetBlue says the price of $ 143, including the price of shipping, is $ 7 less than Vault Health would normally charge. American didn’t immediately disclose pricing.
How quickly will results come back?
United says the test at the airport produces results in less than 15 minutes.
Hawaiian said advance test results are expected within 36 hours.
American said the at- home test will produce results within 48 hours. JetBlue said results of its mail- in tests are expected within 72 hours or less.