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Virgin to introduce Covid screening on all London to US flights
Virgin Atlantic will require all passengers flying from London to the US to be tested for Covid-19 before departure from Christmas Eve.
They will have to present a negative Lamp or PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their flight or at Heathrow Airport’s pre-departure testing facility.
The move comes as the US is reported to be considering requiring all arrivals from the UK to provide a negative Covid-19 test.
Virgin, British Airways and Delta Air Lines had earlier voluntarily agreed to screen all passengers flying to New York’s JFK for Covid.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: "Throughout the crisis, Virgin Atlantic has been championing a robust pre-departure passenger testing regime in order to reopen the skies at scale and safely replace border restrictions.
"In August we were the first UK airline to implement on-site rapid testing for our crew and with our partner Collinson, we already offer pre-departure rapid testing for customers on several routes including Hong Kong and Barbados.
"This is the latest addition to a range of rigorous, multi-layered health and safety measures to ensure that all customers fly safe and well.
"We will work closely with our transatlantic partner Delta Air Lines on an aligned customer offering.
"More information will be provided to customers due to depart from London Heathrow to the US in the coming days, including New York flights.
"We are in close contact with governor Cuomo’s office to communicate these plans."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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