Almost two months ago I embarked on my first international excursion since the start of the pandemic – to Switzerland for the annual (pandemic excepted) Air Canada Race. And while there was much to consider before travelling, one major worry had been taken off our plates: Air Canada would take care of the return COVID-19 test. We were guinea pigs for a new testing product that the airline would offer customers in the future. That future is now.
Yesterday, the airline announced the introduction of the new testing products, which includes portable self-administered COVID-19 molecular and antigen test kits through a partnership with Switch Health, a Canadian-based healthcare company.
Using the Switch Health COVID-19 RT-LAMP Kit, customers can test themselves while travelling abroad prior to their flight to Canada to meet Canadian government testing entry requirements without the need to visit a foreign COVID-19 testing clinic. The tests are conducted under the remote supervision of a Telehealth professional from Switch Health and include an electronic report suitable for travel.
Indeed, the notion of finding a foreign lab in an unfamiliar setting and securing an appointment within 72 hours of one’s flight time, and subsequently worrying that results would arrive in time is one of travellers’ greatest worries, according to multiple consumer surveys. It was certainly one of mine.
Anecdotally, I know of travellers who planned their entire itineraries around being in a major centre at a certain time to accommodate the requirement. Tips from fellow travellers abound, for example: don’t fly in the US on a Monday because labs are closed on weekends and you won’t get your results in time, etc….
In our case, doing the test was simple, not least because of the live video link to an overseeing health practitioner in Canada. Our version of the kit also produced a result in 30 minutes (after taking the test via a green light – red if positive – on the device, thereby eliminating the worry of whether the lab result would arrive in time before travel). Once approved, the user connects to the lab’s web site to retrieve a verifying e-document that can be download to one’s device (and then uploaded to Air Canada when checking in).
While the quick turnaround version may prove pricier than a local lab, but the certainty and flexibility of it will be well worth it to many. (An important note: make sure to have your health card number for access).
“Air Canada is a leader in adopting and implementing science-based safety measures to simplify our customers’ journey,” says Mark Nasr, Sr. VP., Products Marketing & eCommerce at Air Canada. “Together with Switch Health, we are pleased to offer our customers the most comprehensive range of travel testing options that will make travelling abroad easier and more predictable. Switch Health also seamlessly integrates into Air Canada’s digital tool allowing customers to securely submit their COVID-19 test results and records of vaccination, further simplifying the travel experience.”
Preferred pricing for Aeroplan members
Aeroplan members have exclusive access to preferred pricing on all Switch Health testing products. Aeroplan preferred pricing for the portable antigen test kit start at $79 plus applicable taxes (one kit includes two tests), and the portable RT-LAMP test kit start at $149 plus applicable taxes. Members also earn 1,000 Aeroplan points on RT-PCR tests and 500 Aeroplan points on RT-LAMP test kits and antigen tests. Members can also redeem their Aeroplan points through the Aeroplan eStore to cover the cost of the test kits (Aeroplan membership is free).
Customers can visit https://aircanada.com/switchhealth for all the details or order a test kit at https://switchhealth.ca/aeroplan or redeem at https://aircanada.com/estore.
Watch the video demonstrating the RT-LAMP test:
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