Hawaiian Airlines Expands Pre-Travel COVID-19 Testing Options with Convenient At-home Service

Rhea-AI Summary

Hawaiian Airlines has launched an at-home COVID-19 testing service for travelers from the U.S. mainland to qualify for quarantine exemption in Hawaii. The $150 saliva test, managed by Vault Health, allows participants to collect samples with remote supervision and receive results within 24 hours. Starting October 15, the negative test results must be obtained within 72 hours of departure. This initiative enhances Hawaiian's existing health and safety protocols, including a reduced cabin capacity of 70% until December 15, and drive-through testing options in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Positive

• Launch of $150 at-home COVID-19 saliva test, increasing travel convenience.
• Results provided within 24 hours, enhancing customer experience.
• Continued partnership with Vault Health for improved testing options.

Negative

• Ongoing reduced flight schedule due to pandemic impacts.
• Cap on cabin capacity at 70% may limit revenue potential.

HONOLULU, Oct. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawaiian Airlines today began offering travelers visiting or returning to the Hawaiian Islands from the U.S. mainland a pre-travel COVID-19 test they can take from the comfort of their home to qualify to be exempt from the state of Hawai'i quarantine.

Hawaiian's guests can order the $150 mail-in saliva test online through Vault Health. The test kit, which is available for travelers of all ages including children, will be express mailed overnight to guests who will self-collect their sample with assistance from a testing supervisor in a video call. The kit is express shipped overnight to Vault's lab, which will process and analyze the sample and provide travelers their results electronically within 24 hours.

Beginning Oct. 15, travelers with a negative COVID-19 test taken at a state-approved testing facility within 72 hours of the final leg of departure will be exempt from Hawai'i's 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

"We are excited to offer our guests at any of our U.S. mainland gateway cities a convenient way to take a pre-travel COVID-19 test that meets the state of Hawai'i's requirements, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard and to our islands soon," said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. "In addition to expanding testing availability and options, we have adopted comprehensive health and safety protocols throughout the travel journey to protect our guests, employees and community."

"We're happy to provide quick, accurate COVID-19 test results to Hawaiian Airlines guests," said Vault Health Founder and CEO Jason Feldman. "The test is easy to take at home, pain-free, and limits exposure or use of personal protective equipment. We provide comfort in having you know your status from your own home, before travel."

Hawaiian's new at-home COVID-19 test option, facilitated by Vault Health, adds to the carrier's partnership with Worksite Labs that will provide guests exclusive access to drive-through PCR testing ($90 for results within 36 hours, or $150 for day-of-travel express service) from dedicated, conveniently located labs near Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) international airports, with more testing locations coming soon to its other U.S. mainland gateways.

Details about testing options for Hawaiian's guests are available here.

Hawaiian's comprehensive health and safety program covers all aspects of the travel journey, starting at check-in, when guests must complete a health acknowledgment form indicating they are free of COVID-19 symptoms and will wear an adequate face mask or covering at the airport and during the flight. Guests 2 years of age and older who are unable to wear a face mask or covering due to a medical condition or disability must undergo a health screening to board.

Hawaiian's "Keeping you Safe" enhanced cleaning includes frequent disinfecting of lobby areas, kiosks, and ticket counters, electrostatic aircraft cabin spraying, plexiglass barriers at staffed airport counters, and sanitizer wipe distribution to all guests. The carrier, which has been operating a reduced schedule since March due to the pandemic and resulting travel restrictions, will continue to cap cabin capacity at 70 percent through Dec. 15 to allow for onboard distancing.

All travelers arriving in Hawai'i or flying between the islands must now also complete the state's online Safe Travels Hawai'i form.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian^® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 16 years (2004-2019) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai'i.

Now in its 91st year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai'i's biggest and longest-serving airline. In 2019, Hawaiian offered nonstop flights between Hawai'i and more U.S. gateway cities (13) than any other airline, along with service connecting the islands with Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian is operating an adjusted schedule of daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands and between Hawai'i and the U.S. west coast to support essential travel and critical cargo services.

The airline is committed to the health and safety of its guests and employees and has reinforced enhanced cleaning procedures across its business. While the experience may be a little different, the authentic Hawaiian hospitality remains unchanged. Additional details on how Hawaiian is keeping guests and employees safe can be found at HawaiianAirlines.com/KeepingYouSafe.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow Hawaiian's Twitter updates (@HawaiianAir), become a fan on Facebook  (Hawaiian Airlines), and follow us on Instagram (hawaiianairlines). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian's LinkedIn page.

For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines' online newsroom.

About Vault Health

Vault Health is a performance healthcare technology platform designed to help men through specialized in-home treatments for better health. Vault helps men overcome shortcomings in existing healthcare offerings through extensive education, professional medical evaluation, and personalized treatment. At the onset of COVID-19, Vault Health shifted focus and joined in the effort to address the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate testing with the first FDA-authorized saliva test for men, women, and children. To learn more about Vault Health, visit vaulthealth.com/covid.

 

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SOURCE Hawaiian Airlines

FAQ

What new COVID-19 testing options has Hawaiian Airlines introduced for travelers?

Hawaiian Airlines now offers a $150 at-home COVID-19 saliva test, allowing travelers to qualify for quarantine exemption.

When do travelers need to take the COVID-19 test to avoid quarantine in Hawaii?

Travelers must take the test within 72 hours of their final departure leg to be exempt from the 14-day quarantine.

What is the price of the new at-home COVID-19 test offered by Hawaiian Airlines?

The at-home COVID-19 saliva test costs $150.

How quickly will travelers receive results from the at-home COVID-19 test?

Travelers will receive results electronically within 24 hours after their sample is processed.

What safety measures is Hawaiian Airlines implementing during the pandemic?

Hawaiian Airlines has adopted comprehensive health and safety protocols, including frequent cleaning and a cap on cabin capacity.