United Airlines is taking another step to restart international air travel. Starting November 16, the Chicago-based carrier will offer fliers free COVID-19 tests on certain flights between New Jersey’s Newark Airport and London Heathrow as part of a limited-time pilot program. Typically, such rapid airport tests can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 for a single screening.
United is hoping that a successful trial will lead to officials in the U.S. and U.K. dropping mandatory quarantine requirements for travelers with a negative COVID-19 test and potentially jump-start a so-called air corridor between New York and London, which officials in both countries are reportedly considering.
In fact, the airline says it plans to share customer feedback on the trial program with government officials on both sides of the Atlantic. For the duration of the pilot, however, U.S. passengers will still need to quarantine on arrival. United recently had another successful trial of a COVID-19 testing technology on the route, an app called Common Pass that standardizes the format of test results. While United says it’s still in discussions with Common Pass, the app won’t be used during this new four-week trial.
During the four-week pilot program, passengers booked on the flights will be sent a link to sign up for their required testing appointment at the airport—the airline suggests making the appointment at least three hours before departure. When fliers arrive at Newark, they will head to the United Club testing facility for the rapid result screening. After receiving a negative result, passengers can head to their gate as usual.
The new pilot program comes on the heels of a similar testing initiative the airline launched on flights between San Francisco and Hawaii. In that program—which the carrier has deemed successful—passengers can purchase a $250 rapid result test in the airport or opt for an $80 home testing kit. All fliers with a negative result are allowed to bypass Hawaii’s 14-day quarantine requirement. United says that so far passenger numbers have jumped 95 percent on the Hawaii route in that program’s first two weeks.
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