American Airlines Adopts New Testing Strategy, To Offer Home COVID-19 Test

To help travellers meet various state travel restriction requirements, American Airlines have decided to offer an at-home COVID-19 test. The test will cost USD 129 and the results will help travelers avoid up to two weeks of quarantine. The company announced that it will partner with direct-to-consumer home testing company LetsGetChecked for this. Travelers will have to pay for the test which will be on top of the cost of travel. This is one of the few steps taken by airlines to encourage bookings. COVID-19 test before flying is one of the most common restrictions implemented by states and the at-home service will definitely help travelers, the airlines said.

Several states are asking for negative COVID-19 test results either before departure or upon arrival. Also, this provides a reliable source of testing as it continues to be hit-or-miss in several parts of the US. But there are certain loopholes, as there is the possibility of still getting infected during the journey to the airport, for example. Different states still have different restrictions with some still requiring mandatory quarantine even if the test result is negative. This is why the airlines are asking passengers to make sure that they know the requirement of the state where they are planning to land. Earlier, the airlines were offering an at-home COVID-19 test for international passengers who are traveling to destinations with restrictions.

LetsGetChecked, which is providing COVID-19 test to American Airlines’ passengers, has asked travelers to order the test at least five days before the scheduled flight. The test kits of LetsGetChecked use nasal swab so the customer will have to take the sample on their own and then need to send it back. The company will then run through a PCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction test which requires a few days. American Airlines is the first to provide an at-home COVID-19 testing facility for domestic flights. There are several other airlines that are trying to introducing this testing protocol in order to encourage travelers.