(TAN): United Airlines has announced to offer a Covid-19 pilot testing program for travellers that could make it easier for them to manage quarantine requirements and entry conditions of popular destinations around the world. United claims to be the first American airline to launch such a programme.
Starting October 15, customers traveling on United from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Hawaii will have the option to take a rapid test at the airport or a self-collected, mail-in test ahead of their trip. Passengers who test negative on either test would not be subjected to the current 14-day quarantine requirement of Hawaii.
The rapid Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test – administered by GoHealth Urgent Care and their partner Dignity Health – provides results in approximately 15 minutes and will be available to United customers on the same day as their flight departing from SFO. The mail-in test option will be administered by Color and the airline recommends that customers initiate testing at least 10 days prior to their trip and provide their sample within 72 hours of their trip.
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“We’ll look to quickly expand customer testing to other destinations and U.S. airports later this year to complement our state-of-the-art cleaning and safety measures that include a mandatory mask policy, antimicrobial and electrostatic spraying and our hospital-grade HEPA air filtration systems,” said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer at United.
