Starting December 9, 2020, American Airlines will be the first airline to launch pre-flight testing on flights from the US to the US Virgin Islands. Photo: VIC

Starting December 9, 2020, American Airlines will be the first airline to launch pre-flight testing on flights from the US to the US Virgin Islands. 

“As we continue to reopen travel throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, we have been looking for ways to simplify our customers’ travel experience. Our preflight testing programme and our recently launched mobile app trial are essential tools that will help our customers return to the skies,” said Juan Carlos Liscano, Vice President of Operations for Miami, the Caribbean and Latin America. “American is the leading US airline in the region and we are committed to helping restart travel and tourism in the countries we serve.”

That will include flights to St Thomas from Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, Chicago and Philadelphia, along with flights from Miami and Charlotte to St Croix. 

American is offering an at-home testing option ahead of flights in partnership with a company called LetsGetChacked, with results typically received within 48 hours on average.

American Airlines launched its pre-flight testing programme in the Caribbean in October, and now offers pre-flight testing on all of its flights from the United States to Belize and Grenada, Saint Lucia.

“The US Virgin Islands is pleased to announce its participation in the preflight COVID-19 testing programme offered by American Airlines through LetsGetChecked. Through this initiative, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to keeping our residents and visitors safe and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism for the US Virgin Islands.

“This easy-to-use, at-home solution adds another layer of protection and confidence for those traveling to the Territory, allowing them to focus on their unique reasons for choosing the USVI,” he said.