British Airways to offer discounted rapid testing kits
James ChappleBritish Airways has partnered with Qured to offer portable Covid-19 testing kits, which travellers can take abroad with them and then use to satisfy the UK government’s pre-departure test requirement.
The test can be completed over a scheduled video call with a professional health advisor, who will guide travellers through the nose and throat swab process and how to process the sample using the kit.
Verified results are available after 20 minutes, and travellers can download a "fit to fly" certificate if their test comes back negative.
Test results can also be uploaded to the mobile health passport VeriFLY so test certificates can be certified in advance allowing for a quicker journey through the airport, although this is currently only available on a limited number of routes.
These include BA customers travelling between London and the US and Canada, and all inbound routes to the UK with BA.
BA is offering the tests at a discounted price of £33 per test.
BA chief executive Sean Doyle said: “As we prepare for a safe return to travel, we remain focused on finding and offering the most convenient and affordable testing options for our customers."
He added Qured’s solution removed uncertainty and unnecessary expense for customers who have concerns about sourcing a pre-departure test while they are away.
All arrivals into the UK are required to test negative for Covid-19 up to 72 hours prior to departure.
BA is currently trialling VeriFLY to help travellers meet destination-specific entry requirements by providing digital verification of any health documentation necessary to travel.
Results from Qured tests and other test providers can be securely uploaded to the app; BA is in talks with other test providers to explore how test results can be automatically sent to the VeriFLY app to simplify the process further.
BA is also working on deployment of Iata’s Travel Pass app, and says it is "exploring all digital travel verification solutions to support its customers when travel restarts".
How it works
- Once a test is purchased, customers will receive the test kit via next day delivery
- Customers will be sent a unique link to sign up and book their virtual clinic slot
- Prior to the virtual appointment, the customer will receive a link to access Qured’s secure video consultation platform. They will then be asked to enter their name
- The customer will enter the virtual waiting room and an expert health advisor will start the call at their chosen time
- The customer is then guided through the test procedure, with the whole process taking around 10 minutes
- Results are available 20 minutes after the customer has completed the test. They will then email a photo of their ID and the lateral flow device to Qured for verification
- The customer is then notified via text and email when their test result is available. If negative, they can download a "fit to fly" certificate to be presented at the airport or uploaded to the VeriFly app.
Sign up for weekday travel news and analysis straight to your inbox
James Chapple
Supplier Directory
Find contacts for 260+ travel suppliers. Type name, company or destination.
Recommended For You
Latest travel jobs
Junior Africa Sales Consultant
Travel Consultant - Barrhead, Newtownabbey
Cruise Consultant, Glasgow
Competitions
Upcoming events
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
