Starting Nov. 16 United Airlines will begin a transatlantic COVID-19 testing pilot program for customers flying to London from New York/Newark. The rapid tests, which will be offered for free until Dec. 11, are meant to ensure that all passengers over the age of two will have tested negative before boarding.
The airline says anyone who does not wish to be tested will be placed on another flight.
“We believe the ability to provide fast, same-day COVID-19 testing will play a vital role in safely reopening travel around the world and navigating quarantines and travel restrictions, particularly to key international destinations like London,” said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United. “Through this pilot program, we’ll guarantee that everyone on board has tested negative for COVID-19, adding another element to our layered approach to safety.”
Enqvist says United will continue “exploring new solutions that contribute to the safest travel experience possible.”
United says it will also share customer feedback of the pilot program with governments on both sides of the Atlantic to further demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs as an alternative to mandatory quarantines or duplicative travel restrictions.
United will collaborate with Premise Health, who will administer the rapid testing pilot program for the EWR-LHR flight, which currently operates three times weekly. Appointments for the test are required, and customers are advised to schedule their tests at least three hours before their flight.
The airline says it has seen a positive impact on travel demand and significant increases in customer load factors and revenue when testing options are available.
Recently United started offering customers traveling from San Francisco International Airport to Hawaii the option to take a same-day, pre-flight rapid test at the airport or a conveniently located drive-through test, for a fee. The program allows customers with a negative result to bypass Hawaii’s mandatory quarantine requirements and enjoy their time on the islands sooner.
The airline reported a 95% increase seats sold in the first 10 days of the program, Oct.15-25, compared to the prior two-week period.
United believes these positive trends illustrate a strong and pent-up demand for travel, customers’ willingness to use pre-flight COVID-19 testing and the importance of these programs as a means of opening borders.
United also recently participated in a successful test program between New York/Newark and London of CommonPass, a digital health pass, aimed at enabling safer travel and the reopening of international borders. Customers who chose to participate in the program were able to seamlessly provide their COVID-19 test results to relevant governments.
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