Hawaiian Airlines COVID tests are set to be offered to passengers beginning about October 15. That in order to avoid a mandatory 14-day quarantine. The bellwether airline has initially partnered with a mobile testing lab company to offer two drive-thru options.
For a fee of $90, testing will be available within the required 72 hours, whereas for $150, tests are taken and results returned on the day of travel (in less than 5 hours). Test results are obtained using a phone app. The service is being offered in dedicated portable labs to be set up in multiple locations. The first labs will be in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, but they are expected to soon expand to cover most if not all of Hawaiian’s 11 mainland gateway cities. Today’s announcement comes one day after United Airlines Hawaii Covid tests were announced.
The type of Hawaiian Airlines COVID tests being offered is what Hawaiian is calling “Droplet Digital PCR shallow nasal swab tests – a ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 screening that meets the state of Hawai‘i guidelines.”
Hawaiian Air SVP Avi Mannis said “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)… 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.”
Hawaiian’s first testing partner is Long Beach, CA-based Worksite Labs which offers “drive-thru labs” that are creatively using what appear to be traditional shipping containers for the lab space. CEO Gary Frazier said, “Worksite Labs is proud to offer Hawaiian this innovative solution as we work to combat the current pandemic and provide more testing options so travelers can understand their COVID-19 status and enjoy their trip to Hawai‘i while stimulating the local economy.” Hawaiian said that they will shortly announce other testing partnerships.
Issues remain to be addressed.
We are unable to determine the minimum age for the Worksite Labs tests. Prior options announced have only been available for passengers age 12 and above. We have heard, however, that testing for children, or a waiver in the testing of children under certain ages, will occur.
Where will these locations be set up, and exactly what does drive-thru mean in this context. We don’t see driving through a shipping container if you know what we mean.
Furthermore, what about spending five or more hours sitting next to people on a plane who may or may not have been tested? This remains a sticking point, as many of you have pointed out in your comments. It will take federal government action, however, for that to change, and there has been no indication of that being forthcoming. On the other hand, we are doubtful that many travelers will be willing to go into quarantine. Thus, the question is, practically speaking, how many passengers will be untested. We will undoubtedly get answers to that question very soon after Hawaii travel resumes. Also see As Hawaii Restarts Visitors Concerned About Airports, Airplanes and Others.
Changes to Hawaiian Airlines Schedule.
Through October, Hawaiian has reduced planned flights and removed many of those to neighbor island destinations. From Los Angeles and San Francisco, for example, the airline is now showing nonstop flights only to Honolulu. Starting in November, however, Hawaiian plans to resume flights to neighbor island destinations, Kauai, Kona, and Maui. That change in schedule is likely due to multiple reasons, not the least of which is to allow Hawaiian to assess demand when travel resumes without mandatory quarantine on October 15. We’ll be updating you on the Hawaiian Airlines flight schedule as it evolves.
Does this change your Hawaii vacation plans?
What are the chances of COVID testing being removed January 2021? Flying from Sacramento to Honolulu. Should I book my trip?
I was told the $150 test was the 15 minute test. Your article says 5 hours. So if I choose the 5 hour same day test, that means I don’t find out if I am negative or positive until I arrive on Oahu (my direct to Kauai flight was cancelled). If I arrive on Oahu on my way to Kauai, that means I have to quarantine on Oahu. I was under the impression the results had to be confirmed at departure. Can you confirm??
Any word from American on Covid testing? They have been silent. We have tickets in January out of Phoenix. That is another port where we’ve heard nothing.
Here’s a bit more info on traveling to Hawaii. People will need to register with the State of Hawaii Dept of Transportation, you will need to give them a current valid e-mail address. In return they will send you a QR code. This code will be scanned upon arrival in Hawaii. That’s how your covid information will be given to Hawaii. Hope this information is helpful.
Mahalo Guys.
Hi Roy.
There will be more updates coming on procedures in the next week or so. We appreciate that info.
Aloha.
I can have a covid test done in my home either a blood one or nose . Will Hawaii except either of those. I go to Hawaii in November 5th. Which test should I take
What is going on? People not spreadung on plané, than upon landing your in the good ole fresh air…wake up people its a mild virus…
O have 2 places here that have covid testing . Which is the one i can take to go to Hawaii
Please install a mobile testing sight in Portland, Oregon before November 5th 🙏🙏🙏. Thank you.
Hi Lauren.
We have been expecting to hear about the Pacific Northwest. Hopefully soon.
Aloha.
Aloha!
Thank you so much for keeping us all informed. We’re hoping to spend New Year’s Eve on Maui with our daughter. We’re flying Southwest so appreciate any updates you know of. We also have Kaiser-Northern CA so hope they will offer travel tests by then. Mahalo! P.S.Already got our flu shots!
Hi Suzanna.
Thanks. There will be enough time between reopening and your trip for any issues to be worked out. We’ll have many updates as this unfolds. Thanks.
Aloha.
There is a short sentence at the end of the Hawaiian Airlines press release that states the option will only be available to first and business class passengers due to limited supply! What!!!!