We said last month that widespread free Covid travel tests were coming. Now, this.
72 thoughts on “Free Airport COVID Tests Announced + Will Airlines Step Forward?”
Comments are closed.
Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » Free Airport COVID Tests Announced + Will Airlines Step Forward?
If I’m visiting Maui and a friend who lives on Oahu wants to visit, does she have to test?
southwest.com/Coronavirus/?clk=CORONAVIRUS_TA&cbid=5446032#destination-hawaii
Scroll down to Inter-Island travel. According to the SW site, yes–your friend will need to be tested 72 hours before traveling to Maui.
United is still packing flights to Hawaii and across the US. I just returned from the mainland and with the exception of the flight to LAX, all other flights were packed/full flights. So social distancing is kind of a joke when boarding/deboarding the plane after having been on a 4 hour flight packed like sardines.
When is the free covid testing to Hawaii going to start
There is no such thing as Free. That cost will be transferred to the consumer. Abbot Labs rapid test have 14.8% false negative rate and 5% false positive. 1 out of 20 COVID free flyers will be denied access to flight, while 1 out of 8 people with COVID may be allowed on your flight. I would definitely not book a flight to Hawaii with those odds, and risk losing money or getting COVID.
Without out a doubt, I would fly on the carrier that would pre-test everyone prior to the flight, and insure that everyone on board tested negative. It would give me enormous comfort.
How enormously comfortable will you be with that mandatory three hour wait at the airport prior to that long oversea flight? Just wondering.
I understand that all of this is new and confusing
However I am curious the airline may rebook you on a future flight but if you’ve put down money for accommodations and or a car you may be screwed!
I am anxious to go back to Hawaii but not with all the hassle and confusion. We miss Maui but not at the cost of hassle factor
Still nothing for us Canucks. Any idea when?
Ask your Government and airlines to get on board. I understand Westjet will do a trial program in November but I don’t know if it includes Hawaii.
I believe the Westjet trial will be for domestic flights only unfortunately 🙁
So, if everyone were tested negative at the airport prior to being allowed to board a flight, would that then mean face masks would not be necessary during flight?
As you saw in the White House a “Negative” test does not guarantee you are not infected…I personally would want an absolute Mask Mandate as stands today on all flights testing or not…or I would not fly.
Pre-testing should be making tests mandatory. If you want to get on a plane to Hawaii, you have to have the test. Period. That is the best way to keep the island safe as well as airline employees. Forget the option of a two week quarantine once you land.
Realizing that things are constantly changing, still wondering this… For the Airlines that are offering testing and your assumption that when HA could eventually start free testing, will the tests be available only for their own passengers or will it be made available or anyone flying that day to Hawaii on any airline?
Your thoughts?