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154 thoughts on “United and Hawaiian Airlines Bypass COVID Screening at Hawaii Airports”
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Thanks
I am curious. When we arrived on Kona on 12/5 the post flight “screening process included a post flight rapid antigen test for all arriving passengers. Will Alaska Airlines “pre clearance” wrist band allow its passengers to bypass the second test or just the myriad of stops prior to getting to the post test. Although my wife and I quarantined for the 24 hour period between when we tested until arrival at the airport the possibility of a false positive on the post arrival test was a bit nerve wracking.
A second point – as I understand, the vaccination series will prevent a person from getting sick from the Corona virus. It has not been determined yet whether that person can be affected, not get sick, and still shed virus. That would be very much like the current situation where 80%+ persons are asymptomatic but contagious.
I see the trip plans for other islands, what about Kauai? The latest I can find for Kauai is that whether you have a negative NAAT test or not you will have to quarantine 14 days. Also, you cannot rent a car after arrival on Kauai. You will have to figure out a way to get to your lodging. And you cannot shop for groceries in person.
Am I correct in this as of Dec. 12?
Yes Jim, you are correct although the 14 day quarantine will be going to 10 days statewide soon. But everyone arriving on Kauai is subject to quarantine until further notice. I was at the airport agriculture station a few days ago to have some sugar loaf pineapples checked that I sent to the mainland and it was a ghost town. The only people I saw there were bored employees. Oh,and we just had five more cases today, so the virus is now spreading through our community rapidly since opening with zero covid cases on October 15th. Thanks.
JIM W… As far as I known, the answer is YES to all! Kauai has opted out of the Safe Travel program and is making their own rules.
Hi Guys! Thank you so much for helping me figure out how to visit grandkids for Christmas. I made it!!! The flights were long. Internationally I had to have a negative test to even board the plane. Flew to SFO. Test done. $250 – rip off (10x the price in Asia) but hey this pandemic is a money maker! Luckily wasn’t chosen for random test in Kona. Only 2 tests in 36 hours! Everyone was courteous and helpful – even helping Tutu upload documents properly on my seldom used phone. Now I am in baby bliss and happy and healthy and thankful to be here for the holidays! Take care and Thanks again! Mahalo!
Hi Nancy.
That report makes us both smile. Thank you and enjoy!
Aloha.
If you get cleared to fly from mainland to Kona with a negative test, does that clear you for your entire trip on the islands? For instance, fly into Kona – stay for 4 nights, then fly to Maui for the remainder of our trip. Would we need another negative test to fly from Kona to Maui?
As near as I can figure there’s nothing new there.
Mahalo Guys
We flew Alaska Air to Maui Dec 11 arrived a little after 3pm and walked passed all the airport screeners because we received our “pass” in Seattle before boarding. It was also accepted by Avis car rental. So it was great.
However, there is still the preflight stress of getting a testing appointment, waiting for a negative test result and filling out all Safe Travels forms.
Mahalo for answering my question…. Is Alaska the only airlines doing the pre flight approval? Yes they are!
It took very little time in Seattle to get pre approved. Just check in at gate, they check your Safe Travels QR code and verify your information. It was completed before boarding and boarding was on time. Alaska has extra representatives to speed the process.
Mahalo for keeping us up to date and a platform to share our experiences.
Hi Richard.
Thanks. We appreciate your report.
Aloha.
Really? So Alaska Airlines only gets to do this, but no one else who is doing the Exact same thing can’t get this approval? Come on Ige!
Thank you BOH for filling a need that a state that survives on tourism really should be offering. Your information is up to the minute, easy to understand, and relevant. We are coming to Maui in January and can live with the steps to get there. However, having 96 hours is more realistic when traveling from Wisconsin. Being put into a 14 day “timeout” because you don’t have the test results on departure but may have them when you land seems unfair and unreasonable. Reasonable would be to free the traveler when results arrive; maybe even demand a second test on island. BOH, you are currently our trusted partner as we plan our 5 week stay.
Hi Dave.
Thank you. We hope you have a great time on Maui.
Aloha.
Most people would opt for a car trip to Florida or California i think this year.
No need to fill out paperwork and be given a chip/wristband and intense government sponsored monitoring. Cheaper too and you can avoid those apocalypse now type situations happening in hawaii. Its totally unacceptable to me and I believe the vast majority of people.
In conclusion, Hawaii i dont think has what it takes to succeed. It needs to be sidelined and re think its policy and leadership yet again.
I think the federal government should also go a step further and place restrictions on the state government and oversee leadership there to make sure tourists and residents do not have to tolerate this abuse any longer.
Aloha, Update to my post on Kona. My husbands test results at airport came back negative. They called Friday, one day after arrive. We were told results would be in Sat so it was one day earlier than expected. We are now free to roam the Island and enjoy all it has too offer.If this happens too you and it may, as we just heard the same from another person at our condo complex, my advice would be to try to relax, chances are it will workout just find in a day or so.
Does this eliminate post arrival test on the big island?
Good news, and We just bought our tickets for Maui on Alaska in February.
Make sure if you’re using your phone to upload your documents it has the ability to format a pdf.
Still a hassle! Until there’s no testing or masks count me out Hawaii I want to travel like human who lives in the USA, not communist China
Re trumplican
Thank you as usual for this informative article. However, it doesn’t make sense. My adult granddaughter and daughter say the testing is meaningless cause another person, a passesnger, an Alaska employee, or anyone at the arriving airport could have COVID and consequently a visitor could easily get it, and then spread it during their Hawaiian vacation. Does that make sense? Is it possible to get infected by unknown persons even after getting a negative test prior to flying?
Thank you
Eddie
Hi Eddie.
This program is unrelated to what you are talking about. It is simply eliminating the on-arrival airport procedures associated with pre-travel testing.
Aloha.
Aloha, I left San Diego Ca. on Alaska direct flight to Kona this Thursday. I used Vault spit test, very easy instructions to follow. Test Mon, sent in overnight got negative results Wed AM. Uploaded on Safe Travel site. Boarded with hard copy QR code in hand, just in case phone died.Flight had maybe 50 people. Upon arrival in Kona we were tested again, seemed it was all traveler’s, not random. It was a circular swab around bottom of inside nostrils. Filled out a form w/our phone #. Got rental car and then a phone call that my husband tested positive. No symptoms at all. They said out of 129 people 40 are false. Then tested with PCR test, long stick.My test was optional, too which I said no thanks to the long stick!. He is to social distance while waiting until Sat results that are done in a lab in Honolulu. If positive he’s to 10 day quarantine and then I start quarantine. If our trip was shorted than 10 days we would not be able to fly out. We’ve own a condo for 12 yrs now, this is the most challenging trip we’ve had to deal with. And I agree, what Alaska is doing is to help you depart only. It has nothing to do with once you land and how HI handles it on their end. Alaska had bracelets in place for Maui outbound flights only. On a positive note I’m looking at the Ocean. Also our condo has a outdoor restaurant & bar so if we must quarantine we can have food brought to us. Heres to making lemonade out of lemons! I’ll post again Sat for those who are wondering his results and let you know if we’re free to roam : )
MELISSA… Don’t need to know your age but are you covered under Medicare? We can’t get a test from Vault because we are covered under Medicare and I’m desperately looking to see if anyone else has had that experience. We had to cancel our trip because that was our only option even though we live in an 850,000+ Metro Area!
When you take your test with Vault just don’t tell them you’re covered under medicare. I saw that in previous comments on this site. They will bill you for the test ($119) but may refund the charge once they determine your age (if over 65). At least you can get your test done this way.
MIKE S… I never actually used Vault but when I tried, the only way I could even get them to consider sending me a test was to lie and say I wasn’t under Medicare. It’s been about 4 months and things may have changed but that the only way I could go any further in their system was to lie about Medicare. Thanks for the follow up!
Barbara – I used Vault in early January. In order to use them I just “ignored” the question regarding coverage under medicare. It worked just fine. I received correspondence from them at a later date indicating they were refunding the charge ($119) because Wisconsin has free covid testing. Had to due another rapid test upon arrival in Kona – all good!
Curious what happened next Melissa? False positive when we arrive in Kona is my biggest worry – going tomorrow.
Hi, So no second test after testing 4 days before arrival? That’s 4 days somewhere where the infection rate is through the roof and it looks like that is most of the mainland. Did I miss something? That doesn’t seem very effective and the rate will go up and we will be forced back into shutdown like here on Kauai.
The emphasis has to follow the science which unfortunately does not always translate to what is convenient for the tourist. I late Spring things are going to look better but we are entering some very dark times. Just as I’ve written 10 have died from covid assuming 1 person every 30 seconds! Please be careful when planning your travel here. MAhalo
Do any of the Alaska flight go directly to Maui or connect to Maui?
See my previous reply about Southwest No proof required til we arrived despite prior warnings to the contrary, 12/1/20.
If you have got the vaccine shot I work in the health care and I’m getting the shot can I prove that I got the shot and bypass the line
It was smooth sailing for me but then I was the first one through. However, it was very well run for the rest. Maybe if you didn’t check luggage, you’d be annoyed.
Do you think Kauai will join this program? Is it a bad idea to book a trip to Kauai next august?
Your guess is as good as ours Sara!
This is such a nice convenience for the folks of Alaska. Are there really that many people that travel from Alaska to Hawaii?
I am planning on traveling from Pittsburgh, PA to Honolulu, HI next month and very stressed about the Covid testing timeline.
Do you think anything will change for the folks traveling from the east coast? With my flight leaving 6:00am on a Monday, it will be next to impossible to get a negative test within the required time frame.
It’s Alaska Airlines, not travelers from Alaska. Alaska Airlines flys to HI from several west coast cities.
What I feel would be most helpful is for Hawaii to give more than 72 hrs to obtain test results, perhaps 96 hrs, I have read for some people this is not a problem, but for some you don’t want to feel stressed if your test results will be on time. Who wants to start a trip, vacation, with all this hassle, and then they changed it if you don’t have test results within 72 hrs you are out of luck. Who needs this uncertainty, there are lots of other places to go. Sometimes I think Hawaii is a 3rd world country
I flew into Maui last night on Alaska and went through the pre-clear process at LAX and upon arrival I went straight from plane to baggage claim. Much different than in November when there was a significant queue in Maui. As described it was essentially follow the Safe Travels Hawaii process and have the issued QR Code available at flight check-in.
Solid improvement and it should be a positive for travelers if more airlines are included/are allowed to participate as noted.
Thanks to whatever entity initiated this improvement and thanks to Beat of Hawaii for communicating about its existence.
Hi Kevin.
Thanks. You’re the first to report on it. We appreciate the feedback.
Aloha.
Aloha,
I am really hoping that whatever comes out next week:
1) Provides the 96 hours we are all stating here. From East Coast we have to “camp out” in CA or somewhere else on West Coast to be able to get the 72 hour window. So that adds CA into the potential points of failure.
2) How will island hopping work? We are 3 days in Hilo (the mom and sistas), 6 days Maui (vacation) and then 2 days Oahu (the dad and sistas). As it sits right now assuming that the “Alaska rule” gets expanded to other airlines. We would arrive Oahu sit around for connection to Hilo and then I guess we would need to take another test in Hilo to get to Maui a few days later. Then once in Maui as it sits, we are good to go because Oahu does not require yet another test.
What are the odds that this all goes smoothly 🙂
Hi Randy.
Additional tests will be required in Hilo within 72 hours of departure for Maui as it stands now. So you’re right on all of that, and it should all work out.
Aloha.
Well, if the Gov implements the mandatory 2nd test (3-5 days post arrival), the only thing this means is we get to start our in-room quarantines that much quicker. Not much of a benefit here unless we can truly start our vacations as soon as we leave the airport … #SMH
It’s about time someone figured out how to process tourists. I’ve been to St. Maarten and St. Thomas and they both have a portal to submit your negative test results. Both islands were a breeze to clear at the airport. I hope Hawaii quickly follows suit.
This doesn’t seem any different than what is already in place?
If steps are followed in the Safe Travels program it is smooth sailing. We went thru it mid-October.
What would be most helpful is getting more than 72hrs for obtaining testing results. 1 addt’l day would make a significant difference.
And, if this is only for Alaska, what about AA, Hawaiian, etc.
On another note, does anyone know if Pixel by LabCorp (mail in test) work for Hawaiian trusted partners?
Looking to be back on 12/20 so trying to figure out the best solution to get to Kona by then.
Thank you BOH for keeping is up to date.
Hi Julieta.
Thanks. The new procedure is significantly different than what is in place. And, depending on the number of flights, personnel, etc., the screening process after landing has at times been quite long. As we mentioned, it will undoubtedly expand to the other airlines. We suggest you check with the state on any test-specific questions. We do not see those vendors listed.
Aloha.
We were constantly told we would not be able to board the last leg of our flight without the negative test result uploaded, but no one checked until we arrived. Too many contradictions and unnecessary stress.
I think this is a great approach. As I heard today, once a person gets vaccinated they will receive a card showing their vaccinations/dates. This should also help the process move quicker and put people not feeling so stressed about traveling.
I understand that we are supposed to upload our lodging information to the safe travels Hawaii website. What if we are staying at multiple properties during the course of our visit? For instance, our trip consists of 11 nights in one property upon our arrival, 13 nights in a second property, then 29 nights in a 3rd property before returning to the mainland. Is the safe travels website just concerned with the first property or did I miss something on the website?
I only loaded info for the first one, but had to show the QR code at each place We were warned we might have to show it at other businesses but didn’t. However we did fill out contact tracing forms at all but one restaurant.
Mike..we traveled in November for two weeks at two resorts. Entered the first one and did not update to second one. Guessing you might be able to update location during stay but once you arrive and clear quarantine (exempt out) there are no additional check ins required. You will have to show safe travels at each check in and may have limited/timed access if part of party is not present at check in. We had 24 hour keys until our kids arrived and showed their safe travels.
About time, its taken 9 months and many, many businesses destroyed ! J.A.
Too little too late. No one wants to visit and deal with spur of the moment changes by inept politicians. I know I am not coming.
Thanks for the update As a Canadian visitor, I’d like to know what Covid test results to provide before traveling. We are planning a 40th anniversary family holiday. Of course, our medical system and pharmacies are different than the American ones. If Canadian test results are not acceptable, I’m thinking to cancel our 7 weeks of timeshare booked for July 2021. There are 11 of us in the party. Thanks for your assistance.
Hi Kath.
The state’s travel website now lists Canadadian trusted partners, so we’d suggest you head there. You must use a “trusted partner.” The testing requirements are the same. https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/
Aloha.
To echo Julieta, we are hoping the negative test window expands to 96hrs. We are happy to follow guidelines to make our trip safe for us and everyone we are in contact with in Maui. Fingers crossed for a 12/30 departure. Thank you BOH!!
And in the ensuing days after being tested, all of the travelers will of course restrict themselves to their homes, avoiding all others, and wearing a mask religiously to ensure they have zero chance of picking up the bug in that time, and absolutely ensure they can’t be a brewing cauldron of virus before they hop on the plane? And we have guarantee’s from the testing folks that they will pick it up if the party was exposed as late as the day before the test? Unless they all plan to put their entire life on hold days before and then between testing and hopping on the plane…how is anyone protected by this or any of the multiple other wish list attempts at re-starting Hawaii tourism? The release of the vaccine should create another whole new set of rules for people to abridge, and as you can buy fake test paperwork now all over Europe…I’m sure fake vaccination paperwork will be equally widely available for the right price too. Of course you could follow Texas and plan to simply secede from the Union too? Then you can make all the silly rules you want without any US Gov’t interference!
See my previous reply about Southwest No proof required til we arrived despite prior warnings to the contrary, 12/1/20.
Aloha. I am confused as to what is different other than Alaska seems to be an approved agent for the state? Don’t all airlines prohibit u from getting on a flight if you don’t have negative test?
Hi Randy.
This program, likely soon to be available on other carriers, allows you to skip the procedures at the airport. It is for those who have tested out of the quarantine. Airlines are legally unable to prohibit you from flying without a negative test. That would be solely up to the federal government, and that has not happened thus far.
Aloha.
Mahalo
Thank you for all this great information! We are starting to plan our trip to Maui for early next year and can’t wait to support the tourism industry!
Hi Anita.
Thanks. We hope you enjoy your time on Maui.
Aloha.
Will there ever be a time when we won’t be waiting until next week for the next change to the SafeTravels program??? What’s the plan when the vaccine is available. Will people who’ve been vaccinated still be required to do the testing? Travel to HI is a never ending adventure.
Thanks BOH for keeping us up to date.
Hi Lee.
Thanks. Yes, concur with you it will be As The World Turns for some time to come. We haven’t heard anything about post-vaccine travel yet.
Aloha.
News flash, Covid isn’t as bad as people thought… Stop testing and get the economy going. Crippling an economy is far worse, or far more fatal, than Covid.
Two of my family members died from it.
Please be more sensitive with your comments.
It’s worse. Long term organ damage and mental health issues are worse than death.
Right on. Long term effects will be a real negative for mankind. The literature is terrifying.
Yea! An actual sensible comment
This is a Hawaii travels comment site why was Donalds post allowed or is his last name Trump.
Donald,
The families of 290,000+ dead from Covid-19 would disagree with you.
Thank you BOH for all the updates.
Hi Suzanna.
Thanks for all your comments.
Aloha.