Pack Your Bags and Your Test: American Has Customers' COVID-19 Testing Needs Covered
American continues to launch tools to make flying safer and easier as travelers return to the skies
American Airlines is expanding its preflight coronavirus (COVID-19) testing program with new self-administered and more in-person testing options to make travel easier and safer for its customers. Customers can now order an Abbott BinaxNOW™ Home Test through telehealth provider eMed. These 15-minute, self-administered tests are supervised virtually by an eMed Certified Guide 72 hours before a customer’s return to the U.S. eMed is a CDC-accepted administrator of rapid antigen tests that can be taken abroad and receive electronic documentation for reentry to the U.S. with a negative test result.
“We want customers to focus on planning their trip to reconnect with family or unwind after more than a year at home, without the added stress of figuring out where and how they will get the right test,” said Julie Rath, Vice President of Customer Experience at American. “Our partnerships allow them to choose the testing option that works best and is the most convenient for them when they book their flight.”
“Deploying eMed services for international travel marries reliable COVID-19 testing with a convenient digital-point-of-care platform to create a safe and more seamless travel experience,” said Dr. Patrice Harris, eMed Co-Founder and CEO. “We're proud to be partnering with American to give their customers peace of mind throughout their trip and confidence in independently verified results. Clearer skies are ahead thanks to innovations like this.”
Customers can order a set of six tests for $150 directly from eMed at American.eMed.com or pick up individual “Home Tests” at select pharmacies. The cost includes the supervision of an eMed Certified Guide who will join the individual during a telehealth visit to lead them through the testing process. The test result is available in as little as 15 minutes and is documented in Abbott’s complementary NAVICA™ app available on smart devices. Additional shipping costs may apply.
For customers wanting an in-person test before departing the U.S., American is expanding its partnership with CareNow nationwide, allowing customers to schedule a test at one of CareNow’s nearly 160 locations when traveling to select destinations on American.
Customers who choose to use VeriFLY can also upload their test results into the app.
Visit aa.com/covid19testing to learn more about American’s testing options, including additional partnerships with LetsGetChecked and GoHealth.
Skip the ticket counter with VeriFLY
Customers using VeriFLY can now check in for their flights online at aa.com or use the American Airlines mobile app, without having to see an agent at the airport. The free VeriFLY app simplifies travel by allowing customers to enter their origin and destination and guiding them through the necessary travel requirements. Customers can upload documentation of their fulfilled requirements directly to the app, which then validates that the documents match a country’s requirements and displays a simple pass or fail message.
Using the app gives customers the peace of mind that they are ready to travel before heading to the airport and then saves them significant time once they arrive at the airport. The app is available as a free download from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store for all customers traveling internationally to the U.S. and from the U.S. to 15 countries. As more countries continue to reopen to international travelers and set new requirements, such as proof of a negative test or a COVID-19 vaccination, VeriFLY will integrate those standards into its verification processes.
VeriFLY is the airline industry’s most widely adopted mobile health passport, helping customers flying on American and its partners — Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Air Lines and Qantas — travel to more than 60 countries and 280 destinations.
Prepared for the Air
VeriFLY and the airline’s testing partnerships are part of American’s multi-layer commitment to ensure customers are prepared for the air with tools to make their travel easier to manage. Customers can visit Prepared for the Air to get started. As always, American encourages customers to review all travel requirements for their destination, including any restrictions on passport or point of origin.
About eMed
eMed (www.eMed.com) is a telehealth company democratizing healthcare with a digital point-of-care platform that provides fast, easy and affordable at-home healthcare testing, supervised and guided online by eMed Certified Guides. We embrace quantitative medicine to deliver prescribed tests and treatments directly to patients, driving better and more cost-effective health outcomes.
About American Airlines Group
American’s purpose is to care for people on life’s journey. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.
