American Airlines selling at-home coronavirus tests in effort to boost travel

American Airlines will sell at-home coronavirus tests to passengers in a move the carrier hopes will boost domestic travel and allow flyers to avoid quarantines. 

The airline is the first to offer at-home tests, which will cost customers $128. Customers who are traveling to a city, state or territory with COVID-19 travel restrictions will have access to them starting Wednesday. 

Customers would order the kit, collect their sample with a nasal swab, and return the sample to the lab that will provide results within 48 hours. 

A negative test result before the flight would allow passengers to bypass quarantine restrictions at their destination or shorten their quarantine length, depending on the location. In Washington, D.C., for instance, out-of-state visitors can avoid a 14-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival if they provide a negative COVID-19 test result.

“We’ve made great strides to help open international travel with our testing partners, and we recognize the need for similar domestic travel solutions,” Alison Taylor, American Airlines chief customer officer, said in a statement. “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.” 

States, cities and territories with travel restrictions include Alaska; Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Hawaii; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New York; Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island and Vermont.