United Airlines launches COVID testing on Hawaii flights

Friday, September 25, 2020

United Airlines recently decided to launch COVID-19 pilot testing program for travellers, becoming the first U.S.-based flight to undertake such an action. The action would be undertaken with the aim of making passengers to manage quarantine requirements easily and making them understand the entry conditions of popular destinations around the world. The testing is scheduled to begin on October 15.

Customers travelling 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. The rapid Abbott ID Now COVID-19 test is administered by GoHealth Urgent Care and their partner Dignity Health and provides results in approximately 15 minutes. It will be available to United customers on the same day as their departing flight.

The mail-in test option will be administered by Colour and it is recommended that customers should initiate testing at least ten days prior to their trip and provide their sample within 72 hours of their trip. The airline has also worked closely with Hawaii officials to ensure that any United customer, both visitors and Hawaiian residents returning home .who tests negative on either test would not be subjected to the state’s current 14-day quarantine requirement.

The airline is presently offering more flights to Hawaii than any other major network carrier including daily service between San Francisco and Honolulu (HNL), Maui (OGG) and Kona (KOA). It is also planning to increase service to Hawaii on October 15, including the resumption of service between San Francisco and Lihue (LIH) and additional flights between San Francisco and Maui and Kona. Toby Enqvist, Chief Customer Officer, United Airlines said in a statement that the new COVID-19 testing program is another way to help customers meet their destinations’ entry requirements, safely and conveniently.

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