NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, United
customers traveling on flight 14 from Newark Liberty International
Airport (EWR) to London Heathrow (LHR) were the first to experience
the airline's free transatlantic COVID-19 testing pilot program.
The airline provided rapid tests to every passenger over 2 years
old and all crew members on board, free of charge, guaranteeing
everyone* on the flight tested negative prior to departure.
"These flights are a good proof-of-concept for governments
around the world that are considering making testing part of the
travel experience," said Toby
Enqvist, chief customer officer for United. "Expanding our
testing efforts with pilot programs like this one not only helps
guarantee passengers* onboard test negative for COVID-19, it also
adds another element to our layered approach to safety and
demonstrates a way to work within quarantines to key international
destinations."
The rapid Abbott ID Now COVID-19 test – administered by Premise
Health – was offered onsite at a testing facility, located at
the Newark United Club near Gate C93. The test will continue to be
used with passengers traveling on United Flight 14, departing at
7:15 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays for the next four weeks. Customers booking these flights
will have the option to confirm their willingness to participate in
the trial or be accommodated on another flight. Customers who
opt-in will receive information prior to travel in order to
schedule a testing appointment at least three hours before their
flight departs. All customers are still subject to current U.K.
entry requirements, including the 14-day quarantine rule. For more
information on the testing program, please visit
united.com/covid-testing.
United has invited governments on both sides of the Atlantic to
observe this pilot program and to assess its effectiveness as an
alternative to mandatory quarantines and travel restrictions.
United has seen a positive impact on travel demand and significant
increases in customer load factors as well as revenue when testing
options are available.
Before the pandemic, United operated six daily flights between
New York/Newark and London Heathrow on a 767-300ER
(76L), offering not only the most frequency among U.S. carriers,
but also the most business class and Premium Economy seats. Click
here for b-roll and still images of United Airlines' COVID-19
testing programs.
Since the start of the pandemic, United has been a leader among
U.S. airlines in enacting new policies and innovations designed to
keep employees and passengers safe when traveling. It was the first
U.S. airline to mandate masks for flight attendants, quickly
followed by all customers and employees. United was also among the
first U.S. carriers to announce it would not permit customers who
refused to comply with the airline's mandatory mask policy to fly
with them, while the face mask policy is in place. United was also
the first U.S. airline to roll out touchless check-in for customers
with bags and the first to require passengers to take an online
health self-assessment before traveling. Additionally, last month,
the airline announced it will apply Zoono Microbe Shield, an EPA
registered antimicrobial coating that forms a long-lasting bond
with surfaces and inhibits the growth of microbes, to its entire
mainline and express fleet before the end of the year.
For more details on all the ways United is helping to keep
customers safe during their journey, please visit
united.com/cleanplus.
* Indicates all customers over 2 years of age
About United
United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the
World." For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on
Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of
United's parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., is traded on the
Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-united-airlines-flight-offering-free-transatlantic-covid-19-testing-takes-off-301173879.html
SOURCE United Airlines