Hawaiian Airlines to Offer Drive-Through COVID-19 Tests at Select Airports
by Daine Taylor
Hawaiian will begin offering rapid COVID-19 testing to some of its passengers. Photo: Shutterstock.com.
Hawaiian Airlines on Friday announced that it will soon offer drive-through COVID-19 tests for passengers, allowing guests to bypass Hawaii’s mandatory quarantine order.
Hawaiian is the latest airline to begin offering the on-site tests, after United airlines announced earlier this week that it would start offering tests to those traveling on United from San Francisco to Hawaii, including Honolulu, Maui, and Kona.
“As Hawai’i’s leading airline, it is critical to ensure that access to testing does not impede travel to Hawai’i, for visitors or our kama’aina (residents),” said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines.
The carrier is partnering with Worksite Labs, a company that provides on-site mobile labs and PCR testing equipment, to conduct the Droplet Digital PCR shallow nasal swab tests. Hawaiian plans to begin offering the service beginning October 15, allowing those who test negative within 72 hours of departure, to be exempt from the state’s 14-day quarantine order.
“Worksite Labs is proud to offer Hawaiian this innovative solution as we work to combat the current pandemic and provide more testing options so travelers can understand their COVID-19 status and enjoy their trip to Hawai’i while stimulating the local economy,” said Gary Frazier, CEO of Worksite Labs.
Initially, Hawaiian will conduct the tests near Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) international airports, with more testing locations coming soon at its other U.S. mainland gateways. The tests will cost $90 for results within 36 hours, or $150 for day-of-travel express service.
Additionally, all travelers arriving in Hawaii or flying between the islands must also complete the state’s online Safe Travels Hawai’i form prior to their departure.
