First United Airlines flight offering free transatlantic COVID-19 testing took off

First of its kind, the testing programme guarantees customers over two years old and crew test negative before departure

On 16 November, United customers travelling on flight UA14 from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to London Heathrow (LHR) were the first to experience the airline’s free transatlantic COVID-19 testing pilot programme. The airline provided rapid tests to every passenger over 2 years old and all crew members on board, free of charge, guaranteeing everyone* on the flight tested negative prior to departure.

“These flights are a good proof-of-concept for governments around the world that are considering making testing part of the travel experience,” said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United. “Expanding our testing efforts with pilot programs like this one not only helps guarantee passengers* onboard test negative for COVID-19, it also adds another element to our layered approach to safety and demonstrates a way to work within quarantines to key international destinations.”

The rapid Abbott ID Now COVID-19 test – administered by Premise Health – was offered onsite at a testing facility, located at the Newark United Club near Gate C93. The test will continue to be used with passengers travelling on United Flight UA14, departing at 19:15, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the next four weeks. Customers booking these flights will have the option to confirm their willingness to participate in the trial or be accommodated on another flight. Customers who opt-in will receive information prior to travel in order to schedule a testing appointment at least three hours before their flight departs. All customers are still subject to current U.K. entry requirements, including the 14-day quarantine rule. For more information on the testing programme, please visit united.com/covid-testing.

United has invited governments on both sides of the Atlantic to observe this pilot programme and to assess its effectiveness as an alternative to mandatory quarantines and travel restrictions. United has seen a positive impact on travel demand and significant increases in customer load factors as well as revenue when testing options are available.

Before the pandemic, United operated six daily flights between New York/Newark and London Heathrow on a 767-300ER (76L), offering not only the most frequency among U.S. carriers, but also the most business class and Premium Economy seats. Click here for b-roll and still images of United Airlines’ COVID-19 testing programmes.

Since the start of the pandemic, United has been a leader among U.S. airlines in enacting new policies and innovations designed to keep employees and passengers safe when travelling. It was the first U.S. airline to mandate masks for flight attendants, quickly followed by all customers and employees. United was also among the first U.S. carriers to announce it would not permit customers who refused to comply with the airline’s mandatory mask policy to fly with them, while the face mask policy is in place. United was also the first U.S. airline to roll out touchless check-in for customers with bags and the first to require passengers to take an online health self-assessment before travelling. Additionally, last month, the airline announced it will apply Zoono Microbe Shield, an EPA registered antimicrobial coating that forms a long-lasting bond with surfaces and inhibits the growth of microbes, to its entire mainline and express fleet before the end of the year.

For more details on all the ways United is helping to keep customers safe during their journey, please visit united.com/cleanplus.

* Indicates all customers over 2 years of age

NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/

Note: the load factor was rather low on the initial flight: 36 passengers. One traveller was refused entry after he tested positive for Covid-19.