American Airlines Now Offering At-Home COVID Tests to Help Avoid Quarantines

American Airlines on Tuesday announced that it would start offering its guests $129 at-home COVID-19 tests ahead of travel, giving them the option in order to avoid quarantines.

The program starts today for those booked on flights scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12 onward. American, which partnered with at-home testing company LetsGetChecked for the program, says that it is the first airline to introduce the option within the United States.

“We’ve made great strides to help open international travel with our testing partners, and we recognize the need for similar domestic travel solutions,” Americans chief customer officer Alison Taylor said. “As travel requirements continue to quickly evolve, we’re simplifying the research and COVID-19 testing fulfillment process for an overall more seamless travel experience.”

The tests cost $129 and have a 48-hour turnaround time on average. LetsGetChecked recommends ordering the kit five-plus days prior to departure and then scheduling a UPS pickup for the sample. The tests allow travelers to activate it online and then receive their results on a secure online account through LetsGetChecked.

American said it will continue to help expand its testing options as more U.S. states and international territories add quarantine or testing requirements for inbound travelers.

Right now, in the U.S., states with COVID-19 travel restrictions include Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Cities and territories requiring the same include Washington D.C., Chicago, along with Puerto Rico.