American Airlines Expands at Home COVID-19 Testing

With the number of COVID-19 cases rising, many destinations now require travelers to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken prior to travel or face a 14-day quarantine.

To help passengers navigate that requirement, American Airlines said it will expand its at-home, preflight COVID-19 testing program to include passengers headed to U.S. locations that require proof of a negative test.

The airline partnered with at-home testing company LetsGetChecked in late September to offer tests to passengers headed to Hawaii, the Caribbean and several other international locations.

“We’ve made great strides to help open international travel with our testing partners, and we recognize the need for similar domestic travel solutions,” Alison Taylor, chief customer officer for American Airlines, said in a press release.

Passengers can order a test kit starting Dec. 9 for travel beginning Dec. 12 or later. The test is a nasal swab test and PCR lab analysis. It costs $129 and results are typically delivered within 48 hours.

The program is limited to passengers headed to destinations with a current testing requirement. That list of places evolves daily and the airline plans to adapt to those changes.

As of Dec. 7, these are the destinations currently served by the program:

• Alaska
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Chicago
• Hawaii
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

American Airlines has an online tool to help passengers check travel requirements. Make sure to check the requirements both at your home and your destination.

If you don’t qualify for American’s expanded testing program but you want one for safety’s sake, you have several options in metro Phoenix.

XpresCheck offers testing in the Drugs & More store in Terminal 4 of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. The clinic will file the cost of the test with your health insurance company. Through December, the city will cover the cost of the test for those who do not have insurance. You’ll need to provide proof of Phoenix residency.