United Airlines is now the first American airline to give passengers access to the airport coronavirus testing. Launching is a simplified way for passengers to book a ticket, schedule a test and upload the results to the company’s app, which travel experts say could be the “new normal” of travel.
Nearly a year after the pandemic, people around the world are still confused about how to follow a patchwork of COVID-19 travel guides and protocols.
“I was thinking all the time when I was coming here, waiting for my COVID test to come,” Noah Johnston, a CBS News traveler, told Errol Barnett. “It adds another layer to the journey, which under normal circumstances you don’t have to worry about.”
United Airlines’ “Travel Center” aims to solve the problem.
The digital platform allows passengers to do anything from checking COVID-19 requirements to scheduling a test at the terminal. While before, a traveler could be blocked by jumping from one page to another on various government sites, the new United app ensures that relevant information is attached directly to their ticket, depending on their destination.
“Based on the ticket you purchased, tailored for you so you know everything you need, especially as the whole COVID landscape is changing,” said Michelle Brown, president of United Airlines for digital products.
CBS News took a direct look at the testing process at Newark Liberty XpresCheck International Airport – owned by Xpres Spa Group, a company that previously focused primarily on indoor spas – where the new pop-up site opens on Monday. United.
XpresCheck CEO Doug Satzman said his company is uniquely positioned to offer COVID19 tests inside the terminal, after moving from manicures and massages to medical tests.
“Our spa business closed at the end of March,” Satzman said. “So we have three areas here – we have a check-in, we have test rooms and then we have a full service lab.”
He mentioned that the update will probably not disappear soon.
“Just as 9/11 changed air safety forever, we’re still barefoot,” he said. “COVID will change the security protocol at airports and for a long time.”
Once tested, passengers upload the results to the booking profile.
“Airlines are investing in providing testing because they know it’s a good deal,” said travel industry analyst and atmospheric research group chairman Henry Harteveldt, adding that the move came out of necessity.
He continued, “Some countries or destinations want you to have one PCR test. Others will do an antigen test. So it’s very confusing. “
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said that although the process is simpler and could be the future of flight, a rapid negative test result does not guarantee safety.
“It’s not perfect, but it’s another layer that could be introduced to help reduce risk,” he explained.
Since launching the app three weeks ago, United says they have already seen hundreds of thousands of customers upload their COVID-19 test results before boarding the flight.
In addition to rapid tests, the Travel Ready Center also offers PCR or antigen tests. The centers are currently available at Newark, San Francisco and LAX airports with expansion plans.