It looks as though pre-travel COVID testing will play a key role in flights to Hawaii and Hawaii airline competition for the foreseeable future. We mentioned free COVID airport tests before. Today’s news confirms that costs will continue to drop and availability increase to make travel to Hawaii easier. That’s good news.
Southwest Airlines jumped further into the airline COVID testing scheme when they announced that Hawaii trusted partner, CityHealth Urgent Care, will offer pre-travel testing starting at $20 for their Hawaii travelers at Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Jose airports. By clicking the link to CityHealth, you can access their appointment calendar.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines also have pre-travel testing. Carbon Health works with Alaska for $170 per person, and Worksite Labs does the Hawaiian tests for $90 per person and Vault (at home) for $119.
CityHealth offers confirmed appointments for SWA passengers.
A 72-hour test result is guaranteed. The company provides priority testing for SWA passengers. That means that SWA passengers receive a confirmed appointment time. Others can use the service as well but on a space-available basis, which does not guarantee a test. There is a $20 administrative fee, while CityHealth expects the test’s full cost may be covered either through insurance or the CARES Act.
New SJC airport location for CityHeath.
Tests are performed in the prior taxi holding area of the airport. The address is 2470 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110. Appointment times are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
John Aitken, SJC airport director, said, “We are pleased that our partners at Southwest Airlines and CityHealth now offer pre-flight COVID-19 testing at SJC. This new testing opportunity represents an investment in our shared commitment to health and safety and is a welcome addition to our airport’s slate of globally-recognized health and safety measures.”
Tony Roach, SWA managing director, said, “Aligned with the value and flexibility Southwest brings in our service to the Hawaiian Islands, our work with CityHealth to offer testing to our customers in the South Bay and Peninsula now complements other locations throughout the Bay Area and Sacramento. We’re glad to support an affordable and convenient way to get tested and get to the preferred warm water destination of Hawaii for Customers who fly with California’s largest airline, Southwest.”
Sean Parkinm, CityHealth CEO, said, “Few industries have felt the impact of COVID-19 as much as the travel industry. CityHealth is proud to partner with Southwest Airlines to help promote safer travel through pre-travel testing. We are working closely with San Jose International Airport to welcome passengers back to air travel and safely reach their destinations, whether it’s visiting family, taking that much-needed vacation, or an important business meeting that can’t be done over a virtual meeting.”
Does a $20 COVID test entice you to fly Southwest?
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John H says
Is Alaskan Airlines offering in airport or at gate testing just prior to a flight anywhere in the continental US???
Steven S. says
Mahalo for the information. Too bad these $20 tests are only for locals because IF I am flying into Oakland from the East coast, how can I get these test results back in time?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Steven.
True. Those tests are for those who live near the testing sites or are playing a stopover.
Aloha.
Cathy S says
This whole ever-changing testing requirements has been a nightmare to navigate. I was in Hawaii last March to help my daughter with childcare. I live ion cape cod in Massachusetts and even trying to figure out the timing to get the test and it’s results 72 hours before my nonstop flight from Boston was confusing ..add to that was the fact that the labs approved by the state of Hawaii changed between the time I got the test and the time I flew. When I arrived my test was not valid and I was told that I had to quarantine even though my results were negative and I couldn’t just get another test in Hawaii. I’m flying to Honolulu at the end of March for the birth of my grandchild and there are very few labs listed on the websites that are on the east coast. My best bet is Walgreens, CVS isn’t even on the approved list anymore and trying to get results before your flight is almost impossible. They need to recognize that people don’t just travel to Hawaii from the west coast
John T. says
Current physician opinion is that you shouldn’t get a COVID test for 90 days after you get vaccinated. The test can give a false positive. So testing before or after air travel anywhere is unnecessary & unscientific
Ken L says
Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine will not affect the PCR or antigen test results since these tests check for active disease, not immunity. There is no virus present in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Source: Nebraska Medicine
Amy B says
Can’t you get tested at any testing site approved by the state of Hawaii regardless of your airline? We are flying Hawaiian and I booked the $20 test through city urgent care in Dublin, ca.
Christine R says
Yes Amy B as long as it is on the approved testing site for Hawaii. Hawaiian, Alaskan, United etc were providing a test option because there was so much confusion. When people first started coming back here there were many that did not have the right test or didn’t have results by the time they landed.
Michael B says
BOH: Are you aware of any concrete scientific data concerning this? I’m traveling to Honolulu on March 3rd and I’m scheduled for my 1st Covid shot tomorrow. I sure wouldn’t want the shot to interfere with my long-planned trip. Thank you.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Michael.
We aren’t aware of any such data beyond what we have shared. Hope all goes well and please let us know.
Aloha.
Law K. says
We will be flying out of Orlando in June on a direct flight to Honolulu with Hawaiian. I know things will most likely have changed and expanded by that time, but I have not read anything concerning approved, more convenient, or less expensive COVID-19 testing options for MCO. When I looked up departure airports through Hawaiians website for approved testing sites, Florida is not listed. Any information would be appreciated.
Since we are departing from the east coast in June we will have a time difference of 6 hours. When taking a COVID test, at what point does the clock start for the test against the 72 hours? Does it start once you receive the results, or from when you take the test itself?
Mahalo
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Law.
It is required that you get tested within 72 hours of departure. It is also likely that Hawaiian will help with Orlando testing options once we get closer to those flights starting.
Aloha.
Christine M says
When my husband used them, he had results the same day within a couple of hours…faster than his CVS results 3 days earlier. Maybe check to see turn around time. You might be able to get tested as you leave the airport. I know this is a big issue with timing from the east and midwest, this would be a big help if they are still same day.
Candace says
Are rapid (antigen) tests acceptable or does it have to be PCR and sent to lab? CVS health is listed as a trusted site. Just want to be sure on correct test. Traveling to Honolulu in March.
Craig R says
This is great if you live in California. We have to fly to Oakland on Southwest to connect to our flight to Maui, so we’re stuck with trying to get a timely approved test result in Wisconsin even though we’re both vaccinated. We’re hoping that Hawaii does something to recognize vaccinations before our trip in April.
JWU says
@Craig R
GREAT reason to schedule a couple of days stopover in the San Francisco Bay Area. Get off the plane, get the test at the airport (make sure you schedule it now), play a couple of days like a wine country tour, etc, get your results, continue your trip to the Islands 3 days later (from landing in the SF Bay Area)!!!
Todd says
Thank you for the information about the SWA testing at SMF. I was going to use the Costco option, but I just booked appointments at the SMF location for our Spring Break trip to Maui. We’ve been unable to visit Hawaii since February 2020, but we just got our vaccinations and feel it is safer now to visit again without potentially and unknowingly contributing to any Covid surges on the islands.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Todd.
Happy to hear that worked out to test at SMF.
Aloha.
Sandra L says
Have you heard if Southwest will expand their pre-flight testing option to other airports? We are scheduled from Long Beach, CA to Maui on SWA at the end of May. Their partner sure sounds convenient and reasonable. Thanks!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Sandra.
We haven’t heard but will post whatever we learn on new testing.
Aloha.
KarenM says
That is absolutely enticing!! American charges $249 and there are 5 of us, do the math. It’s horrible. I wish I would have known about this price that Southwest is offering. That’s a game changer! I wish I’d known how restrictive Hawaii is on their inbound travel before booking tickets. There are other places I could have gone that are nearly as difficult!
Steven S. says
Mahalo for this important news! Only problem. What do folks like us who are flying INTO SFO/OAK the night before our outbound flight to OGG from the East Coast do about this test? We still have to get the test taken from our “home port” prior to our departure. There’s not enough time to take the test in California. Yes, we are planning to take the test in NJ about 48 hours from our departure as the test is a rapid results NAAT test (24-hour results). Yes, we are also scheduled to have our SECOND vaccine 2 weeks prior to our departure flight. The only concern though (a lot can change between now and April), the State of California has issued a quarantine for all arrivals into CA (via airports too?) and IF that isn’t lifted by our trip date, we may be forced to cancel our SWA flights and fly into Maui from another State other than California.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Steven.
Yes it is definitely trickier for those connecting. Hope it all works out for you.
Aloha.
Lopaka1 says
If you test positive for covid on the day, or days before departure will travel insurance reimburse your hotel(condo), rental car and airfare.
What if it’s a false positive ? If it’s a false positive you are not too ill to travel, but have to cancel your trip.
If you can’t get reimbursed you can lose ALOT of money.
Wendy V says
Southwest has great rates, 2 free checked bags and a $20 covid test. I wouldn’t fly with anyone else!!!!!!!! And they’re really sweet too!!!!!
Ward says
Do you need a test if you’ve had a vaccine ?
Thank you
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Ward.
At least at this point, yes you do.
Aloha.
LarryF says
This is the same entity that has been testing all passengers flying to Hawaii since last fall. No big deal. In reality the sites listed for Southwest are fewer than what is available. If you go to the link at the Oakland Airport site you will see additional sites in the East Bay like Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton. Better availability, same pricing, same turn around, and closer than driving to the Oakland Airport, if you live in the East Bay. Same $20 document as for all passengers to Hawaii.
JWU says
We noticed for the Dublin,CA site, the verbiage states it is not guaranteed to get the test you request. Because of that, we scheduled our testing at the OAK site. We couldn’t find a phone # to clarify
Kim M. says
I prefer to fly Southwest whenever possible so I’m thrilled with the $20 option through City Health. Just scheduled our appointments for April 2 at SMF. As a backup we are also going to test at Kaiser after that just to ensure we get results so we can fly to Maui on April 5. We postponed our trip last April and can’t wait to get back to the islands to celebrate our anniversary. Mahalo for all the great information you provide to your subscribers!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kim.
Thanks. We hope you have a great time on Maui.
Aloha.