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Published 4 hours ago
Presented by United airlines
NEWARK, NJ, Nov. 13, 2020 / CSRwire / – United Airlines recently announced the world’s first free transatlantic COVID-19 test pilot program for its customers. From November 16 to December 11, the airline will offer rapid tests to all passengers over the age of 2 and crew members aboard select flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to London Heathrow (LHR), no fee. Anyone who does not wish to undergo the test will be placed on another flight, ensuring that everyone on board, except children under the age of two, will have tested negative before departure.
“We believe that the ability to provide rapid same-day COVID-19 testing will play a vital role in safely reopening travel around the world and navigating quarantines and travel restrictions, particularly to key international destinations such as London.” said Toby Enqvist, lead customer. United official. “Through this pilot program, we have ensured that everyone * on board has tested negative for COVID-19, adding another element to our layered approach to safety. United will continue to lead testing, while at the same time exploring new solutions that contribute to the safest travel experience possible. “
United will share customer feedback on this pilot with governments on both sides of the Atlantic to further demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs as an alternative to mandatory quarantines or duplicate travel restrictions. United has seen a positive impact on travel demand and significant increases in customer load factors and revenue when trial options are available.
United will collaborate with Premise Health, who will administer the rapid test pilot program for the EWR-LHR flight. The test will be performed on passengers traveling on United Flight 14, departing at 7:15 pm, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Appointments are required for testing and customers are encouraged to schedule their tests at least three hours prior to their flight. An on-site testing facility will be located at the Newark United Club near gate C93. For more information on the testing program, visit united.com/covid-testing.
Before the pandemic, United operated six daily flights between New York / Newark and London in a 767-300ER (76L), offering not only the highest frequency among US airlines, but also the highest number of Business Class and Premium Economy seats. .
United was the first airline to announce optional pre-flight COVID-19 testing for customers. Earlier this month, the airline began offering customers traveling from San Francisco International Airport to Hawaii the option of taking a same-day airport pre-flight test or a conveniently located test drive, for a fee. The program allows clients with a negative result to bypass Hawaii’s mandatory quarantine requirements and enjoy their time on the islands sooner. In the first 10 days, October 15-25, flights from San Francisco to Hawaii have seen a nearly 95% increase in passengers compared to the previous two-week period. United believes these positive trends illustrate strong and pent-up demand for travel, the willingness of customers to use pre-flight COVID-19 testing, and the importance of these programs as a means of opening borders.
And last week, United participated in a successful New York / Newark-London trial program of CommonPass, a digital health pass, aimed at enabling safer travel and the reopening of international borders. Customers who chose to participate in the program were able to seamlessly provide COVID-19 test results to relevant governments.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, United has been a leader among American airlines in enacting new policies and innovations designed to keep employees and passengers safer when traveling. It was the first American airline to require masks for flight attendants, quickly following all customers and employees. United was also one of the first US airlines to announce that it would not allow customers who refuse to comply with the airline’s mandatory mask policy to fly with them while the face mask policy is in effect. United was also the first US airline to implement contactless check-in for customers with suitcases and the first to require passengers to complete an online health assessment before traveling. And last month, the airline announced that it will apply Zoono Microbe Shield, an EPA-registered antimicrobial coating that forms a lasting bond to surfaces and inhibits microbial growth, across its entire core and rapid fleet before the end of the year.
For more details on all the ways United helps keep customers safe while traveling, visit united.com/cleanplus.
* Indicates all customers older than 2 years
About United
United’s shared purpose is to “Connect People. Unite the World.” For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram, or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL.”
