As the world opens up again, it’s more important than ever that we travel responsibly and stay committed to stopping the spread of coronavirus - so that we can enjoy getting back to the places and faces we’ve missed so much.
Many of our destinations have testing requirements in place to make sure customers and crew are symptom-free and safe to fly.
Find out the specific requirements for the country you are travelling to here
If the country you're travelling to requires evidence of a negative Covid-19 test, you'll most likely need either a PCR or LAMP test.
It's important to check whether a self-test is ok (where you carry out the swab yourself) or if they need you to have been tested by a clinician at a designated location. If you don't have the correct test, you may not be allowed to travel.
*In line with UK Government advice, you should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate travel to another country.
There are lots of companies offering PCR tests, but our Medical, Health and Safety team can recommend the following:
Boots are pleased to announce that their PCR testing service is now available in 93 stores nationwide and we will expand further in the New Year with both PCR testing sites and a wider range of diagnostics. A PCR test costs £120.00.
Binx health provides a quick and easy Covid-19 PCR testing service.
Their test uses a self-collected throat/nasal swab, which is delivered directly to your home and once returned via contact-less courier service, is followed by a PCR test carried out in the laboratory.
Once the laboratory has completed your test you will receive your Safe to Travel test certificate and you can get ready to travel! Their service is fully inclusive making it easy to order, collect and send back your sample without even leaving home.
We’re pleased to be working closely with Collinson to provide customers pre-travel testing onsite at London Heathrow Terminal 2 and Manchester Airport. Currently this type of test is only available for customers travelling to select locations, so please ensure to check the requirements before you travel. If you’ve not already made plans for your testing, you can use this service before check in.
The test available is a ‘Covid-19 RT-Lamp’.
Upon arrival at the testing centre, you’ll be taken to a booth where a registered nurse will perform a nose and throat swab. It will take no more than 3 minutes.
Click ‘Not a member’ to set up an account. You can book a test from 4 hours before your scheduled time of departure. The latest you can carry out your test is 2 hours 45 minutes before your scheduled time of departure.
If you haven’t managed to pre-book, you can still book a last-minute appointment providing you arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled time of departure.
Your test results will be available in a sealed envelope at the testing centre approximately 80 minutes after having taken your test. You’ll receive an email to let you know when you can pick the results up.
Book online in advance before you arrive at the airport here
Melio Health's COVID-19 PCR Swab Test includes a medical review and Fit-To-Fly certificate in 2 business days
The swab test is carried out in a clinic by a trained health professional
Screen4 offer both self-test kits sent by post, or a number of locations for clinician testing. Please check the Screen4 website for the latest available locations.
The test will tell you if you are positive or negative for Coronavirus (Covid-19). The PCR test can be performed at home by yourself or Screen4 can arrange for a clinician to carry this out for you (location dependent).
The test requires taking a swab from the throat and nose, this sample will then be sent to laboratory for analysis using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
It takes 24-48 hours to return the result once the laboratory receives the sample back. This result will be used to form the certification that you require to travel and will be sent to you via email. Please note result reporting times can be up to midnight the next working day.
Reporting times may differ over weekends and bank holidays.
Screen4 will provide you with a 24 hour tracked returns envelope to ensure your sample gets to the lab on time.
ExpressTest offer both pre-departure and post arrival Test to Release Covid screening solutions.
Their fast and accurate gold standard PCR screening is available from just £60 at their drive-through sites located at Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh Airports, and they also have additional regional testing sites across the UK.
ExpressTest results are typically emailed with a Fit to Fly certificate by 10pm the day after the test, with bookings made online via the website.
ExpressTest is also an official 'Test to Release' provider, allowing passengers arriving in England to reduce their required quarantine period from 10 to 5 days.
24 hour Covid-19 tests delivered to your door with Nationwide shipping or next day courier delivery.
Results in 24 hours from receipt of sample at lab.
Qured's Covid-19 fit-to-fly certificates are signed by a GP and accepted worldwide. Government approved provider for Test to Release.
Virgin Atlantic customers can benefit from 10% off with the promo code VIRGINTRAVEL
Prenetics offer at-home testing kits and will provide fit-to-fly certificates which are accepted worldwide.
The Superdrug COVID-19 Swab Testing Service is an RT-PCR test, which is used to confirm a negative infection of COVID-19.
This service is only available in select London Nurse Clinics.
We will continue to rigorously monitor and evaluate Covid-19 testing suppliers for departures to and from the UK. Remember to check in advance whether your destination will accept self tests, or if you need to be tested by a medical practitioner in person
Effective 18 January 2021, the UK Government has introduced a legal requirement for all international arrivals to England, aged 11 years and over, to arrange a negative Covid-19 test.
More information about this can be found on the UK Government website
This means that if you’re travelling to England you’ll need to get a Covid-19 test within 3 days of the scheduled departure time and present the negative result to our staff at the airport.
The pre-departure testing requirement for UK arrivals is legally enforceable and you must factor the test into your travel plans. Where possible, book well in advance and it is essential you ensure it is taken within 3 days of departure. It is vital that all arriving customers comply with all testing requirements and complete the online Passenger Locator Form https://virg.in/D9h before arriving at the departure airport, or you may be unable to fly.
As ever, the safety and wellbeing of our customers and people is always our top priority, and we continue to follow the advice of the UK Government and international health organisations.
XpresCheck is committed to helping protect America's airports - and the health of everyone who passes through them - with fast, accurate Covid-19 testing right at the airport.
Effective 15 February 2021, it is also a legal requirement that all international arrivals to England take two Covid-19 PCR tests, on day 2 and day 8 of their 10-day quarantine. If arriving from a 'red list’ country, customers will need to quarantine in a government-approved hotel.
More information about these requirements can be found in the UK Government guidance.
Please note, these UK Government public health measures will be enforced using financial penalties.
You must book and pay for either an arrival test package or hotel quarantine package prior to travel, which will generate a reference number to cite in your online Passenger Locator Form https://virg.in/D9h, completed before departure to England.
The official online booking portal is here: https://quarantinehotelbookings.ctmportal.co.uk/ and for more information on quarantine requirements please refer to the Entering the UK section of GOV.UK.
International arrivals to the UK can reduce their quarantine period with a negative Covid-19 test taken after 5 days self-isolation.
For customers arriving from destinations not included in the government’s travel corridors list, this means you will have the opportunity to reduce the mandatory 10-day quarantine period to 5 days with a negative test result.
Before returning to the UK, you’ll be asked to indicate your intention to take a test on the mandatory ‘Passenger Locator Form’, including evidence of your booked test. You’ll need to book your test before returning to the UK, and before completing the Passenger Locator Form.
You can find more information on the UK Government scheme here
We are pleased to have partnered with suppliers who have been accredited by the UK Government to provide testing to reduce quarantine.
Government approved Test to Release provider of self-swab test kits. Results in 24 hours from receipt at lab.
Prenetics offer at-home testing kits and will provide fit-to-fly certificates which are accepted worldwide.
See the full list of private Covid-19 testing providers from The Department of Health and Social Care
We will continue to rigorously monitor and evaluate Covid-19 testing suppliers for departures to and from the UK. Remember to check in advance whether your destination will accept self tests, or if you need to be tested by a medical practitioner in person.
See the latest guidance on travel restrictions and screening requirements for your destination
