I just finally booked the flights for my husband and I to head to Paris in early June using those award miles I had asked about here recently, on United. I was surprised to hear that even though we are fully vaccinated and boosted they want us to provide negative covid tests to fly out of Los Angeles. I know they are needed to fly back to the US, but can anyone flying United confirm this? And if so, how will they know our negative rapid Antigen test is actually ours? They have no ID on those tests at all. Has anyone on the forum had to do this? Thank you.
Posted by
CA
2121 posts
If a test is truly required then it must be a protected test or one done from an authorized lab, testing site or a pharmacy that does testing for travel purposes.
You can not do your own test.
Check this site out for one example of how to test online.
https://www.emed.com/airline-travel?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0umSBhDrARIsAH7FCoeOWnYOt5xfAQ9efiXY6xgjjvj6n1rCQiifB3g-dDmmcCMajxBG5FgaAoxwEALw_wcB
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14482 posts
France does not require a Covid test to enter at this time for fully vaccinated travelers.
“For travelers vaccinated within the meaning of European regulations, no more tests is required on departure. Proof of a complete vaccination schedule becomes sufficient to arrive in France, regardless of the country of origin, as was the case before the distribution of the Omicron variant.
For unvaccinated travellers, the obligation to present a negative test to travel to France remains, but the measures on arrival (test, isolation) are lifted when they come from countries on the "green" list, characterized by a moderate circulation of the virus.”
http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/covid-19-international-travel
It may be the aunited emails ir a section of their website has not caught up.
Unless things change between now and your travel date no test will be needed.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Things are likely to change before you travel.
The airline can presumably make its own rules about Covid testing to protect its staff.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14482 posts
As far as I can tell the US legacy airlines are only requiring what is required in the destinations.
I’ve flown Delta to Europe twice since October. The Desk agents have long computer reference info for each country. Sometimes you have to ask the agent to look further, sometimes there is something on the website that hasn’t been caught in an update.
Requiring more stringent rules will affect the bottom line and no big US business will do that.
I believe this is an error on the United website.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2642 posts
United, or any other air carrier, will only require passengers to comply with what the destination government requires. Currently, France requires visitors to be fully vaccinated, initial series vaccination followed by a mRNA booster, or submit a negative Covid test.
You can confirm exactly what United requires for international travel here:
Posted by
Chicago
8411 posts
I believe you misread the message. Read all the way down and you will discover that it is a test OR Vaccinated etc etc. I just flew here by United a week ago and got the same message and we did not need or do tests. You upload your vaccine information to the 'Travel Ready' site and it will let you know that you are approved. (e.g. we didn't have CDC card for grandchild but her pediatric shot record -- I uploaded that 3 days before and it was approved and so I didn't have to worry about getting her tested)
Read it again and I think you will find you do not need the test going to France -- annoyingly the US requires it the day before returning home. Since there is zero issue of 'bringing' the disease to the US which has it widely spread already, this is just harassment and an added cost.
If a test is required it will have to be done at an official facility that can verify and provide a record you can upload specific to you. It is not enough to do a home test. But a test is not now required.