With the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for Covid-19 continuing to be a pre requisite prior any air travel, travelers have been faced with difficulties especially in acquiring timely test results.
However, the good news is that some airports and airlines have started their own COVID-19 testing operations as a way to get passengers back in the skies and improve customer confidence especially as holiday travel sets in.
Top U.S. carriers like United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines have incorporated testing as a model, offering travelers a path to visit their desired destinations. JetBlue on the other hand has turned to at-home saliva tests to enhance customers ease.
Internationally, Lufthansa and Emirates have also turned to on-the-ground testing.
Past the airlines, airports too have also taken action by setting up COVID-19 testing sites right in the terminals to give passengers ease of mind to travel.
Below is a list of U.S. airports categorized by state and international airports offering on-site COVID-19 testing with additional relevant information.
Alaska
Alaska airport necessitates all out-of-state visitors to either provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or get tested upon arrival and self-quarantine until they get the results. Tests cost $250, but are free for Alaska residents.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), Anchorage
The airport is providing testing on site services located on the baggage claim level of the main terminal and is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week (ever open). No appointment is necessary, but travelers are requested to register online.
Juneau International Airport (JNU), Juneau
The testing site ay Juneau International Airport is found inside the airport, provides on-site Covid-19 testing and is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days per week.
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN), Ketchikan
Ketchikan is also one of the US airports providing on-site Covid-19 testing services to travelers. The testing site is at the airport and open seven days per week from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
California
Oakland International Airport (OAK), Oakland
The airport in Oakland offers free, on-site rapid testing for travelers heading to Hawaii in order to skip the Aloha state’s quarantine period. The airport recommends people get tested two to three days before their departure, and make an appointment online in advance. In addition, Oakland International Airport also offers free testing to members of the public.
Testing for the general public and travelers heading to Hawaii is available at the airport’s North Field complex at 9070 Earhart Road and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco
San Francisco’s airport has on-site, rapid testing for United Airlines passengers heading to Hawaii. Tests cost $250 per test. Passengers must book their tests in advance and will receive information on how to do so in an email about one week before their flight.
The testing site at SFO is located in the international terminal prior to security and open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires visitors from many states throughout the country to either quarantine for 14 days or arrive with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours.
Bradley International Airport (BDL), Windsor Locks
Travelers can also get a test at the airport by showing a copy of their boarding pass and are encouraged to pre-register online. The tests are either covered by passengers’ insurance or are available for $125.
The testing site is located in the baggage claim area between vestibule doors 4 and 5 and across from bag belts #5 and #6, and is open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., seven days per week.
Florida
Tampa International Airport (TPA), Tampa
Tampa recently expanded its COVID-19 testing pilot program at the airport, extending it through the end of the year. Tests, which are open to all arriving and departing passengers, cost $150 for a PCR test and $60 for a rapid antigen test.
The testing site is located in the Main Terminal, near the entrance to Airside F. It is open for walk-ins from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Massachusetts
Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston
The XpresSpa Group opened an XpresCheck at Boston’s Logan International Airport on Oct. 28, offering rapid molecular tests, PCR tests, and blood antibody tests. Massachusetts requires most visitors to either quarantine for 14 days or show a negative COVID-19 test from up to 72 hours prior to arrival. The testing site is located in the International Arrival area before security in Terminal E.
New Jersey
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark
The XpresSpa Group operates an XpresCheck location in Newark’s airport, providing rapid molecular tests, PCR tests, and antibody tests.
Additionally, United Airlines will begin offering on-site testing for certain flights traveling from Newark to London’s Heathrow Airport starting Nov. 16. The free test will be a rapid test administered on the day of travel and will be mandatory for boarding. The XpresCheck testing site is located in Terminal B on Level 3. The United Airlines testing site will be located at the United Club near gate C93.
New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York City
The XpresSpa Group has an XpresCheck location in JFK, offering rapid molecular tests, PCR tests, and antibody tests. The testing site is located in Terminal 4 on Level 1, near the Central Diner.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York City
NYC Health + Hospitals operate testing centers throughout the city, including at LaGuardia Airport. The walk-in testing center is free. The testing site is located in the Terminal B parking garage on Level 1 and is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days per week.
Vermont
Burlington International Airport (BTV), South Burlington
Vermont’s Burlington International Airport offers rapid COVID-19 tests, ddPCR (Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests, and rapid flu diagnostic tests. Vermont requires many travelers to quarantine upon arrival, but allows people to get a PCR test on or after day seven to test out of that quarantine.
The testing site is located north of the terminal building at 481 White St., near the Cell Phone Lot, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Burlington’s airport plans to expand these hours to seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in late 2020.
Here are the International Airports with On-site COVID-19 Testing
The international airports listed below have also launched on-site testing. You can visit each airport’s site for specific information.
Austria: Vienna International Airport
Germany: Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport and Düsseldorf Airport
Hong Kong: Hong Kong International Airport
India: Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
Italy: Rome Fiumicino Airport
Japan: Narita Airport and Haneda Airport
Singapore: Singapore Changi Airport
Turkey: Istanbul Airport
United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport
United Kingdom: London Heathrow Airport
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