Delta will require negative COVID test to board UK-NYC flights
Dec 21, 2020, 3:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,147
Delta will require negative COVID test to board UK-NYC flights
Looks like DL and BA are going to require a negative test result to board flights from the UK to NY. Seems like an interesting move to have it just for this one state, what about those connecting?
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...-says/2642307/
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...-says/2642307/
Dec 21, 2020, 3:43 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Looks like DL and BA are going to require a negative test result to board flights from the UK to NY. Seems like an interesting move to have it just for this one state, what about those connecting?
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...-says/2642307/
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...-says/2642307/
Dec 21, 2020, 5:00 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
The NYS governor (Cuomo the elder brother) was saying on TV yesterday that we should close the border to England.
I wonder whether this is a new NYS/NYC rule rather than a rule imposed by the airlines. Does anyone else fly LHR-JFK nonstop now? (AA and BA have a JV, and IIRC earlier there was talk of them setting up a joint quarantine-free travel corridor with testing requirements).
I wonder whether this is a new NYS/NYC rule rather than a rule imposed by the airlines. Does anyone else fly LHR-JFK nonstop now? (AA and BA have a JV, and IIRC earlier there was talk of them setting up a joint quarantine-free travel corridor with testing requirements).
Dec 21, 2020, 5:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Miles&more, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 536
AA has dropped their JFKLHR flight for the holidays. I believe their only trans Atlantic flight is DFWLHR at 1 per day.
DL/BA/VS are the only ones flying into JFK. UA’s flight is not under NYS jurisdiction.
I don’t think NYS has the ability to regulate who can arrive internationally as that’s under federal jurisdiction. However JFK is port authority property and under joint jurisdiction so I guess NYS could ban certain people from accessing the facility. If this resulted in US citizen being barred from entering, I guess it would end up in federal court and who knows what’s the outcome.
I would think when you have a request directly coming from the governor, airlines will do it even if they are not required to do so under federal law. You don’t want to be a pain with the state gov.
if you don’t want to get a test, fly UA to EWR.
DL/BA/VS are the only ones flying into JFK. UA’s flight is not under NYS jurisdiction.
I don’t think NYS has the ability to regulate who can arrive internationally as that’s under federal jurisdiction. However JFK is port authority property and under joint jurisdiction so I guess NYS could ban certain people from accessing the facility. If this resulted in US citizen being barred from entering, I guess it would end up in federal court and who knows what’s the outcome.
I would think when you have a request directly coming from the governor, airlines will do it even if they are not required to do so under federal law. You don’t want to be a pain with the state gov.
if you don’t want to get a test, fly UA to EWR.
Dec 21, 2020, 6:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
I don’t think NYS has the ability to regulate who can arrive internationally as that’s under federal jurisdiction. However JFK is port authority property and under joint jurisdiction so I guess NYS could ban certain people from accessing the facility. If this resulted in US citizen being barred from entering, I guess it would end up in federal court and who knows what’s the outcome.
As far as Port Authority ownership giving NY control, are you dissing us Jersey boys?
Dec 21, 2020, 6:54 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
This feels like vaccine theater big time at this point -- there's no chance that strain hasn't already arrived or will independent of these measures (among other reasons it's very likely the strain has already left the UK for other parts of Europe where flights to/from the US continue without testing requirements......)
Now if this was being done broadly going forward as part of a comprehensive testing plan that's a different story but doing this to try to keep that single strain out is a joke
Now if this was being done broadly going forward as part of a comprehensive testing plan that's a different story but doing this to try to keep that single strain out is a joke
Dec 21, 2020, 9:12 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Miles&more, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 536
NYS already has a quarantine order, so that's not new. Can NYS legally prevent US citizens from arriving internationally into JFK? I don't think so (I guess unless they can somehow make CBP cease operations or close JFK all together). They can require such person to do whatever after they arrive, but they don't have authority over who is eligible for admission into the United States.
I know EWR is also run by Port Authority. However Port Authority itself does not have legal jurisdiction. They can only enforce NYS laws in NYS, and NJ laws in NJ. Since NJ does not have such rules, they are not going to enforce NYS rules in NJ.
Dec 21, 2020, 9:48 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM/2MM, Flying Blue Gold, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 1,934
The way this is being phrased is not that NYS is banning people from entering or even mandating the testing. They have negotiated with the airlines to mandate the testing. And if an airline wants to require testing as a condition of boarding, sure seems like their prerogative.
Dec 21, 2020, 10:33 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 698
borders should be closed if there is viable threat
testing is theater
just because someone tests negative, doesnt mean they can't be spreading the virus, and they can show positive the next day (assuming the test is accurate, this is just how the virus works)
also, there are plenty of issues with many tests that can yield false positives/negatives
testing is theater
just because someone tests negative, doesnt mean they can't be spreading the virus, and they can show positive the next day (assuming the test is accurate, this is just how the virus works)
also, there are plenty of issues with many tests that can yield false positives/negatives
Dec 22, 2020, 6:25 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
This particular virus mutation is already present in Australia, not to mention Iceland, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, Germany..... Just closing the doors to pax from the UK seems fairly pointless.
Dec 22, 2020, 6:51 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Honestly it’s probably already present here too. They just don’t know/haven’t taken the time to figure it out.
Dec 22, 2020, 7:56 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 610
This feels like vaccine theater big time at this point -- there's no chance that strain hasn't already arrived or will independent of these measures (among other reasons it's very likely the strain has already left the UK for other parts of Europe where flights to/from the US continue without testing requirements......)
Now if this was being done broadly going forward as part of a comprehensive testing plan that's a different story but doing this to try to keep that single strain out is a joke
Now if this was being done broadly going forward as part of a comprehensive testing plan that's a different story but doing this to try to keep that single strain out is a joke
Dec 22, 2020, 12:00 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 273
The announcement is now up on the Delta travel agent site:
It appears the scope has expanded to the entirety of the US, so this would also include LAX, ATL, and BOS.
Delta will require new pre-departure COVID-19 testing for all customers traveling from the U.K to the United States. Delta's joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic is also implementing this new requirement.
Beginning December 24th, all passengers flying from the United Kingdom to the United States, or transiting through the United States, are required to show proof of a negative PCR or LAMP COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours prior to departure. Passengers will be required to show proof of the negative test result prior to boarding their flight from the UK. Passengers originating travel outside of the U.K. and transiting through the U.K. are exempt from this requirement.
We recommend that passengers get tested prior to arrival at the airport. For additional information, please visit the list of U.K. approved testing providers to find a testing center prior to travel. Testing is also available at London-Heathrow (LHR) airport; more information is also available for LHR airport testing and to schedule a test. Travelers should arrive four hours early to the airport to allow extra time to get your test if you have not done so in advance.
Beginning December 24th, all passengers flying from the United Kingdom to the United States, or transiting through the United States, are required to show proof of a negative PCR or LAMP COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours prior to departure. Passengers will be required to show proof of the negative test result prior to boarding their flight from the UK. Passengers originating travel outside of the U.K. and transiting through the U.K. are exempt from this requirement.
We recommend that passengers get tested prior to arrival at the airport. For additional information, please visit the list of U.K. approved testing providers to find a testing center prior to travel. Testing is also available at London-Heathrow (LHR) airport; more information is also available for LHR airport testing and to schedule a test. Travelers should arrive four hours early to the airport to allow extra time to get your test if you have not done so in advance.
Dec 22, 2020, 12:05 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
borders should be closed if there is viable threat
testing is theater
just because someone tests negative, doesnt mean they can't be spreading the virus, and they can show positive the next day (assuming the test is accurate, this is just how the virus works)
also, there are plenty of issues with many tests that can yield false positives/negatives
testing is theater
just because someone tests negative, doesnt mean they can't be spreading the virus, and they can show positive the next day (assuming the test is accurate, this is just how the virus works)
also, there are plenty of issues with many tests that can yield false positives/negatives