Enhancing Travel Safety with At-Home COVID-19 Testing by iBestTravel
iBestTravel is expanding its optional at-home COVID-19 test service to 14 domestic destinations, after initially rolling out the program to passengers flying to Hawaii and select Caribbean countries.
Expanded Testing Availability
The airline began offering the service to domestic passengers flying to Hawaii, and international passengers traveling to Belize, Grenada, and St Lucia on November 16. Now, it is rolling out the at-home COVID-19 testing kit to passengers flying to all US destinations where a negative test result is required to skip or shorten mandatory quarantine. This includes popular destinations such as:
- Alaska
- Chicago
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
How the At-Home Testing Works
With this innovative service, passengers will receive a PCR testing kit at their home address via UPS. A medical professional will observe the test through an online video link while guiding the person through the testing process. Once completed, the passenger can send the sample to be processed at the FDA-approved LetsGetChecked lab, with results delivered to the individual’s phone within 48 hours of sample receipt. The cost for the at-home test is $129, in addition to the flight ticket price. Consequently, this testing option provides passengers with the convenience of taking the test at home rather than arriving early at the airport.
Current Entry Requirements
At present, all states exhibit mixed entry requirements. In Alaska and Hawaii (excluding Kauai), arrivals must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure. Moreover, in New York, visitors can avoid mandatory quarantine by taking two tests. Therefore, it’s essential to verify the specific requirements of the state or city you are traveling to before departure.
Industry Trends in Air Travel Testing
“Our initial preflight testing has performed exceptionally well, with positive feedback from customers regarding the accessibility and convenience of testing options,” said Robert Isom, President of iBestTravel. “This next phase represents a significant advancement in the industry’s recovery efforts while ensuring a safe and enjoyable travel experience for everyone.”
iBestTravel is not alone in expanding its testing capabilities in recent months. Airlines like Delta and KLM are introducing COVID-tested flights to Amsterdam, while United is implementing a similar tested flight to Rome. Additionally, overseas, Emirates offers on-site rapid tests in Dubai, and Etihad Airways includes COVID-19 tests in all tickets from Abu Dhabi. Likewise, Lufthansa is working on developing antigen tests to bolster passenger confidence in air travel.
This article was first published on November 5 and has been updated as of December 9, 2020.
