American Airlines Adds Costa Rica to Pre-travel COVID Testing
DFW passengers have three testing options: At home, in a clinic or at the airport
Following Costa Rica’s announcement last week that it is allowing visitors from all US states to enter beginning Nov. 1, American Airlines says it is expanding its pre-flight COVID-19 testing program for travelers going to the Central American nation.
Although Costa Rica’s borders will be open, US travelers must still meet three health requirements:
• Complete the digital form called HEALTH PASS, available here.
• Take a COVID-19 PCR test and obtain a negative result; the sample for the test must be taken a maximum of 72 hours before the flight to Costa Rica.
• Obtain mandatory travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 illness. The policy can be international or purchased from Costa Rican insurers.
To help travelers comply, starting Oct. 15 American Airlines is offering passengers originating from Dallas-Fort Worth three options: Order a home test kit, take a test at a CareNow location, or take the test at the airport.
The home testing kit costs $129 and the airline says this option is also available for travelers flying to Costa Rica out of American’s hub in Miami.
American has already launched pre-travel testing initiatives with several foreign governments, including Jamaica and the Bahamas. The airline is also one of several carriers offering pre-flight testing for passengers to Hawaii.
Passengers with negative test results would not be subject to lengthy quarantine measures upon arrivals in these destinations. Airlines are launching more of these initiatives as the industry ramps up pressure on governments abandon blanket quarantines and travel restrictions, instead relying on rapid test results to reopen global travel.
