Airlines are continually adding and modifying procedures intended to make flying easier in the age of the novel coronavirus. Today, American Airlines became the first U.S. airline to offer access to at-home COVID-19 testing for all U.S. domestic flights to states and territories with COVID-19 travel restrictions. Tests produced by home health testing company LetsGetChecked will be available for purchase Dec. 9, for use for flights starting Dec. 12, 2020.
Current U.S. jurisdictions with COVID-19 domestic travel restrictions are:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Chicago
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
This website has a comprehensive list of U.S. domestic travel restrictions that is current as of December 7. American and LetsGetChecked will add or delete cities or states as domestic testing requirements evolve.
The at-home tests cost $129. LetsGetChecked outlines the testing procedure as follows:
1.Order your kit (5+ days before flight departure is recommended).
2.Schedule a UPS pickup for your sample.
3.Activate your test online.
4.Join an observation call (If required).
5.Collect your sample.
6.Return your sample for testing.
7.Receive your results on your secure online account.
Test results should be available within 48 hours. Some destinations (identified on American’s website) require an observation call with a LetsGetChecked representative to confirm identity and observe sample collection. Samples are collected from the lower nasal passage. Full details on the teting process are found on the LetsGetChecked website.
Final Thoughts
American Airlines is the first U.S. airline to offer access to at-home testing for all flights to U.S. locations that have COVID-19 restrictions. This will make it much easier to comply with pre-flight testing requirements in several states. I would expect others to follow suit. Gary Leff of View From The Wing notes that because change fees and cancellation fees have been largely eliminated on American Airlines, booking an American flight even if you don’t plan to travel may be the easiest way to get an at-home test for COVID-19.
There is some ray of hope to this pandemic. As much inconvenient this pandemic is, I am the adapting kind. So I see more positives than negatives in this episode. Good Luck to all of us where we can lead our lives as before.
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I certainly look forward to a return to as much normal as possible. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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So it’s not American that’s requiring testing, it’s the states where people are traveling to?
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Correct. Testing may be a requirement or a voluntary option in lieu of quarantine.
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thanks. It’s a nice way for the airlines to avoid being the bad guys…
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well its a start isnt it. But quite pricey. But they need something.
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Pricey but about the average cost here from what I’ve seen. You’re right starting is good.
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Tie up between medical companies and Air Travel companies are a new thing which we have seen. Covid has changed many things. I do have lots of condolences for the families who have lost their loved ones and sympathies with those who have lost their livelihoods.
But Covid has also brought some good changes. Imagine if , these medical vaccination services had existed much before the pandemic era, where you contact a medical company for vaccination and that co. updates the passenger data and you can fly to any part of the world. One reduced hassle. Link it with some social security number or any other health record.
It could benefit frequent international flyers.
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I agree, there may be a few changes from the pandemic that are positive for travelers. Thanks for your analysis..
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◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇
◇ It’s Clear We ALL have Our Passions and Preferences; so if this gets Travel Junkies Back in The Air Very Well and Very Good…as for the vaccine it started at 63% effective then jumped to 95% effective and has to be stored at -70° in order to prevent vaccine degradation, boosters are required and the vaccine may affect underlying health issues being a mild infection of COVID-19; as the vaccine is NOT!!! effective on 5% it “will [not] end this pandemic” just as We STILL!!! Have:
♤ Bubonic Plague
♤ AIDS
♤ Ebola
♤ Dengue
♤ Childhood Diseases in Adults
♤ …and, of course The Common Cold
…so I Wish YOU!!! Well in Taking the vaccine; just pray YOU!!! ARE NOT!!! one of the 5% with Adverse Reactions…
◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇
…◇◇◇…
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Yeah, there are many issues with vaccines. I’ll feel safer after I get one, but that won’t necessarily mean returning to travel the same as before.
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♡ May you be in The 95% My Friend and My Brother; may you fly again in a way you enjoy especially if different
…♡♡♡…
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I sincerely hope friend that you do not become one of several hundred thousand the virus kills or the millions it makes seriously ill.
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◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇
◇ I Trust My AutoImmune System My Brother, My Friend; ergo, I WILL!!! NOT!!! Be The AnyOne “one of several hundred thousand the virus kills or the millions it makes seriously ill” Be It The Virus or The Vacinne…because a Vaccine is a Virus; which is why it NEEDS!!! Lots of Periodical Boosting because a vaccine DOESN’T CURE!!! it just Makes Much Money just like Cures for Cancer, OH WAIT!!! Cancer has NO!!! Cures, just Treatment that KILLS!!! ALL the while Making Money, Breaking Family Hearts and Creating Massive Guilt, Shame and Embarrassment in Those Who ARE In a Great Deal (pun intended) of PROFIT!!! Financially and Lacking LOVE!!! tell Me 3 Billion+ ARE Dead then I WILL!!! listen
◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇
…◇◇◇…
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♡ Apparently a vaccine trial has been abandoned when a “False Positive for HIV” was recorded; look it up
…♡♡♡…
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That’s great they are doing this..hoping the vaccine will end this pandemic.
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The day this pandemic is done will be cause for celebration!
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