Article on Person traveling to Italy on Covid tested flight

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting. I’m just worried about the length of time this will take once more people travel. Very important to have a US to destination flight rather than a connecting flight!

Ithink the key is to minimize transits in 3rd countriers. I used to be the Queen of tacking together unusual routes using different airlines. Now I'm looking for direct flights - even to Australia because different states can close their borders - so I booked a flight that didn't transit a different Australian state (I'm in NZ wer're the only country allowed in). I also am taking enough prescriptions and resources in case we end up stuck in quarantine or locked down for 14 days or so (going to a beach in far north queensland - it could be a worse place to be stuck)

Since I have a ticket for the same flight that he described direct JFK to Milan I was quite interested. My flight is not until September 12 with a return on September 26.
It was useful to know that AA had procedures in place to manage. However I cannot see me going through the expense, time and general hassle plus the stress of getting a false positive upon arrival in Italy.
So of by September if my proof of vaccination is not sufficient for departure and return I will cancel.

Such an interesting, useful article — that will be really helpful for folks who are considering those flights. Her level of detail — and the accompanying photos — really tell the tale.

Fantastic and very helpful article for those early adopters (travelers) of Italy. I just hope folks pay attention to the details (the author was fantastic on this point, with pictures!)...you must take a very specific Covid airline flight, not just any flight with a Covid test. This will provide interesting; especially if airlines expand the program. And the odds of a false Positive Covid test are about nil- I would never worry about that. The false tests are false negatives.

She has followed up with an article relating her experience as a tourist in Milan these past few days — she includes a helpful description of Italy's red/orange/yellow zoning and what each means . . .

https://thepointsguy.com/news/milan-italy-reopening-tourist/

Thank you Kim-- a wonderful "boots-on-the-ground" article!

@onefastbob - that is true of PCR tests (pretty much 0 chance of false positive), but there are definitely known cases of false positives for the rapid antigen tests. Since the test upon arrival will be a rapid test, there is definitely a chance of a false positive.
Hopefully they will offer some sort of "re-test" in those cases....how awful it would be to travel all that way and then be stuck b/c of a false positive.

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting clinical laboratory staff and health care providers that false positive results can occur with antigen tests"

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/potential-false-positive-results-antigen-tests-rapid-detection-sars-cov-2-letter-clinical-laboratory

Currently sitting at a bar in Sorrento enjoying aperitivo. This article made up my mind for me!
I took the covid free flight from JFK to Milan. I booked myself a separate flight into JFK, stayed 2.5 days to "enjoy" NYC before leaving for Italy. There are so many test sites in NYC that it was easy to get my required pre-flight test. They actually did both a rapid and a PCR at the same time. I was emailed my results so I knew my rapid came back negative. The next day I went back after my PCR email came in and they printed both for me at the testing site (although I didn't end up needing paper results, the email was fine). The attendant at the beginning of the line (for American Air) checked my results and also my that I had my QR code for my completed online self declaration entry form. On arrival in Milan they direct you immediately to the line to take your rapid test and then you wait for your result (about 15-20 min for me but I was at the front of the plane. And the line to actually get tested wasn't quick so I would suggest paying to be near the front of the plane unless you don't mind waiting). Then you go through customs, get your luggage and you're free to go. I booked my plane tickets about 3.5 weeks ago and the hotels/airbnbs about 2.5-3 weeks ago. I also booked a couple of attraction entrance tickets then as well. But I have found that it was pretty easy to just book some stuff the day before...i.e. the ticket for the Milan Duomo rooftop i booked the day before. But the Last Supper I already had booked and it was sold out for day-of although I would guess you could have found tickets within a day or two. That's probably the best part of being here right now. It's very easy to do all the touristy stuff without having to plan too much in advance. But it's also a little sad. There are, of course, Europeans here but it's really not that busy.... which is great for me but a little sad seeing all the shops and restaurants open but not full of people yet. I rented a scooter and went down the Amalfi Coast today and yesterday and it was pretty easy and congestion free (compared to normal). I really wanted to experience Italy without all the normal tourists and I'm definitely getting that experience. But I am also the only one sitting out on the beautiful terrace (of a grand hotel) overlooking the waters of Sorrento while 6+ servers hang out and talk to each other (the sad part). (P.s. not staying at the hotel... just partaking in the "drinks with a view"). Hopefully this will inspire some of you to jump on a last minute covid free flight and come support bell'Italia!!