Covid test for connecting through LHR
Apr 20, 2021, 12:33 am
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4
Covid test for connecting through LHR
Hi...I'm looking to book CDG-LHR-LAX and was wondering if the UK government requires me to show proof of a negative Covid test to connect through Heathrow on a 3 hour layover. Thanks.
Apr 20, 2021, 12:41 am
#2
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Will any airline let you board without a negative test?
Apr 20, 2021, 6:15 am
#4
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AA does not fly between CDG and LHR. You will not be able to board a flight to LHR in CDG unless you have completed the passenger locator form and have proof of a negative Covid test in the 3 days before departure from CDG. Check the following thread (wiki post should give you a summary)
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coro...val-tests.html
and this post for the rules for passengers in transit.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33067045-post6268.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coro...val-tests.html
and this post for the rules for passengers in transit.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33067045-post6268.html
Apr 20, 2021, 6:38 am
#5
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Hi,
You would need a negative covid test in any event to enter the US
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...r%20proof%20of
Regards
TBS
You would need a negative covid test in any event to enter the US
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...r%20proof%20of
Regards
TBS
Apr 20, 2021, 7:15 am
#6
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OP - Presuming that your connection means one ticket, your carrier -- BA, I presume? - will not permit you to board in order to enter the US. AA will recheck that at LHR. You should review both TIMATIC and the specifics of the US CDC Order.
Apr 20, 2021, 7:45 am
#7
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The same test will do double duty for the U.K. transit and the U.S. entry. Just time the 3-day/72-hour limit to suit. Both countries are happy with an antigen test, if you can find that in France and it's cheaper than a PCR.
Apr 20, 2021, 9:44 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4
Thank you so much for the info. Probably should've mentioned that the route in question is CDG-LHR on BA and LHR-LAX on AA. I'm basically trying to decide how much of a hassle it will be to connect through LHR, compared to DFW. The biz class fare through Heathrow is considerable cheaper at this point than the one through Dallas. So, if I need a Covid test for the USA anyway, it might be worth it. Again, thanks.
Apr 20, 2021, 9:49 am
#9
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The ordinary advice is to fly nonstop between origin & destination jurisdiction, e.g. France & US because every additional jurisdiction creates potential problems. At the moment, UK rules make this an easy regulatory & physical transfer at T-5. So long as you time the test to comply with UK 72 hours and US 3 calendar days, the mechanics are not currently an issue.
Apr 20, 2021, 9:57 am
#10
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You should get the PCR before boarding CDG since you'll need it anyway, but to answer your question, I wasn't required to have a COVID when boarding from either LAX-DFW-LHR-IST (AA, AA then BA) or DBV-LHR-LAX (BA then AA) last October (neither IST nor LAX required PCR tests).. but that was before the US requirement for US Citizen PCR tests to enter the US. UK had no requirement though. 3 hour layover at T-5, didn't even check to see if I completed a passenger locator form either direction. I don't know if AA checks for PCR test before boarding, only experience I had needing a PCR was IST-FRA-DBV, which was Turkish and Croatian Airlines, but I wasn't checked until I went through DBV border enforcement.
Apr 20, 2021, 10:00 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4
Thanks, Often1. I totally agree with you that making France to US my first leg would be the wise decision.,,.but the lure of saving some $$$ is clouding my judgement! The travel date would be mid-June, so who knows how things will be then. Again, thanks for the input.
Thank, seigex. Yeah, I flew CDG-DFW in October and AA didn't ask for anything re: Covid testing.
Thank, seigex. Yeah, I flew CDG-DFW in October and AA didn't ask for anything re: Covid testing.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Apr 22, 2021 at 11:39 am Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same member.
Apr 20, 2021, 10:41 am
#12
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You should get the PCR before boarding CDG since you'll need it anyway, but to answer your question, I wasn't required to have a COVID when boarding from either LAX-DFW-LHR-IST (AA, AA then BA) or DBV-LHR-LAX (BA then AA) last October (neither IST nor LAX required PCR tests).. but that was before the US requirement for US Citizen PCR tests to enter the US. UK had no requirement though. 3 hour layover at T-5, didn't even check to see if I completed a passenger locator form either direction. I don't know if AA checks for PCR test before boarding, only experience I had needing a PCR was IST-FRA-DBV, which was Turkish and Croatian Airlines, but I wasn't checked until I went through DBV border enforcement.
By way of example, for any flight to the US, CDC requires the carrier to confirm the test result and deny boarding if it is not available (or otherwise excepted). Thus, AA will require a test result and has the obligation to check. If it failed to do so in some random instance, that does not change the requirement.
Simply check TIMATIC as one would for any international trip and the requirements for that specific individual & journey should be displayed as of today.
Apr 20, 2021, 11:02 am
#13
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To be clear, AA only requires what destination, connection & transit jurisdictions require. AA has no independent testing requirement.
By way of example, for any flight to the US, CDC requires the carrier to confirm the test result and deny boarding if it is not available (or otherwise excepted). Thus, AA will require a test result and has the obligation to check. If it failed to do so in some random instance, that does not change the requirement.
Simply check TIMATIC as one would for any international trip and the requirements for that specific individual & journey should be displayed as of today.
By way of example, for any flight to the US, CDC requires the carrier to confirm the test result and deny boarding if it is not available (or otherwise excepted). Thus, AA will require a test result and has the obligation to check. If it failed to do so in some random instance, that does not change the requirement.
Simply check TIMATIC as one would for any international trip and the requirements for that specific individual & journey should be displayed as of today.
Apr 20, 2021, 11:12 am
#14
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The ordinary advice is to fly nonstop between origin & destination jurisdiction, e.g. France & US because every additional jurisdiction creates potential problems. At the moment, UK rules make this an easy regulatory & physical transfer at T-5. So long as you time the test to comply with UK 72 hours and US 3 calendar days, the mechanics are not currently an issue.
I would have assumed that T5 to T5 would be shorter distance and timewise...but it wasn't.
Apr 22, 2021, 11:57 am
#15
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https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coro...al-travel.html