United Airlines is trying a new “peace of mind” tactic to get customers back on board.
What We Know:
- United Airlines has announced that (for a limited time) it is providing free COVID-19 rapid testing to passengers on select international flights. Last Thursday, the company announced via Twitter that passengers on a London-bound flight from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were a part of the “world’s first transatlantic flight to guarantee everyone (over 2 years old) on-board tested negative for COVID-19 before departure.”
- The Chicago-based airline is making monumental strides for airline travel amidst the pandemic. According to the United Airlines website, passengers who were boarding the international flight to London received rapid Abbott ID Now COVID-19 tests, administered by Premise Health, at their onsite testing facility located near the boarding gate. The results are set to be ready within 30 minutes after administration.
- The webpage also stated that testing will continue to be used on passengers traveling on United Flight 14, (at the Newark Airport) departing at 7:15 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the next four weeks. Travelers booking this flight will have the option to opt-in to nasal swab COVID testing, or otherwise, choose to be accommodated on another flight. Those who choose to opt-in will receive information on how to schedule a testing appointment that must be completed three hours prior to take-off.
- This makes United Airlines the first U.S. airline to offer free COVID testing on flights across the Atlantic. However, United warns that this testing may not be sufficieint for entry to all countries. Passengers traveling onwards from the UK may have to take a PCR test or be quarantined for 14 days after travel.
Safer travels are on the horizon!
