JetBlue to offer At-home pre-flight COVID-19 testing

It seems that JetBlue is to follow other airlines, and is to offer pre-departure COVID-19 testing in partnership with Vault Health.

JetBlue Airbus A320 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond

JetBlue describes the kit as a “reliable at-home test option provides convenience to customers wanting peace of mind and those who must secure a negative COVID-19 test result before entering certain states and countries or in order to avoid certain mandatory quarantines.”

Vault Health will handle all testing and provide JetBlue customers both discounts on their tests and a dedicated customer support phone line. .

The at-home saliva test is administered via online video connection through Vault Health, with a test supervisor who ensures the customer is providing their sample properly. The sample is then overnighted to a laboratory which processes and analyses the specimen, and results are provided in 72 hours or less.

With some US States and Countries requiring a negative PCR test to enter or avoid quarantine, JetBlue says the test meets the medical standard for many jurisdictions and allows customers another option before travel.

Vault Health has created a dedicated landing page for JetBlue customers with current reservations, located at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/jetblue/. The page allows customers to provide their JetBlue confirmation code to start the process and receive a discount on testing. The list price of a test by Vault Health is $150 (not discounted)

JetBlue notes that many but not all jurisdictions accept PCR tests administered at home or from saliva and that you should research your destinations entry/re-entry requirements before booking this test.

In Quotes

Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer for JetBlue said

“We continue to hear from health officials that testing is incredibly important in the fight against the coronavirus, and we want to make sure our customers have options for testing, especially prior to travel,”

“As more and more regions reopen, many are requiring test results to enter. Now with easier testing options, those safety requirements may not be a deterrent for travel, but rather provide greater public health and peace of mind with little inconvenience.”

Jason Feldman, founder and chief executive officer, Vault Health said

“We are so happy to be able to provide JetBlue customers peace of mind during their travels,”

“This saliva test is one of the most reliable and accurate COVID tests available in the country with a fast turnaround time to results.”

Testing to open up travel

It is interesting to see more airline adopt PCR testing (or at least partnering to offer PCR testing), both either offering it or requiring it for travel. In the case of JetBlue, it’s an offer to its customers to test before departure for their peace of mind.

As airlines and government try to untangle the regulations and barriers to entry, testing is going to become more important – almost as important as a vaccine (with the certification to go with it… and when one is available).

For JetBlue travellers, a paid test like this may be one way of avoiding an expensive self-isolation on arrival at your destination.

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