Travel

Another U.S. airline will offer COVID-19 testing to customers

The service begins "around Oct. 15."

By Kristi Palma

September 28, 2020

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The day after United Airlines announced it would soon offer COVID-19 tests to customers flying from California to Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines said it would offer the same.

Hawaiian Airlines will start offering drive-through testing to customers “around Oct. 15,” the Honolulu-based carrier announced on Friday. Oct. 15 is the day Hawaii will drop its mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers who test negative for the virus within 72 hours of arrival. United will offer testing on Oct. 15.

The airline will offer the testing in partnership with Worksite Labs at a cost of $150 for day-of travel express service and $90 for results within 36 hours, according to a press release. Travelers will get tested at labs located near Los Angeles and San Francisco international airports, with more testing locations to follow at “other U.S. mainland gateways,” according to the airline.

“As Hawai’i’s leading airline, it is critical to ensure that access to testing does not impede travel to Hawai‘i, for visitors or our kama‘āina (residents),” said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines, in a statement. “Our testing option will offer Los Angeles and Bay Area travelers superior value and we look forward to expanding the program and bringing additional choices to more of our gateway cities as we welcome guests back with our industry-leading Hawaiian hospitality, while keeping our community safe. We’re grateful to the state of Hawai‘i for its partnership in developing the pre-travel testing program.”

United Airlines is offering customers traveling from San Francisco International Airport to Hawaii a rapid test completed at the airport the day of travel for $250 or a self-collected mail-in test to be completed 72 hours prior to travel with results sent via email or text within 24 to 48 hours for $80 plus tax. United said it will expand testing to other U.S. airports later this year.