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Travel Requirements Guide

International Travel Requirements

U.s. entry requirements.

U.S. Domestic Travel Is Open

Covid-19 testing resources, contact tracing.

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Delta’s statement on the lifting of international testing requirement for US entry

Delta is prepared to welcome international travelers to the United States this summer following the lifting of pre-entry testing requirements by the U.S. government.

“We commend the administration’s decision to remove the international pre-departure testing requirement for inbound travelers to the U.S. In light of medical advancements and improved public health metrics, removing this pandemic-era policy is not only welcome news to travelers who are ready to get back out and see the world, but will aid in the overall economic recovery of the U.S.”

Customers should continue to use Delta FlyReady for uploading proof of vaccination and government forms for entry to the U.S. and other countries as required.

For more information, please visit the interactive Delta Discover Map .

• COVID-19 , Government Affairs , FlyReady

Planning an international trip? Get ready to show a negative coronavirus test to board your flight home

Headed to Mexico or the Caribbean for some sun and fun this winter or over spring break?

Get ready to squeeze a coronavirus test into your pandemic vacation agenda.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that it would require airline passengers to show proof of a negative coronavirus test or recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight to the U.S., effective Jan. 26. Airlines are required to deny boarding to those who don't.

Currently, only travelers bound for the United States from the United Kingdom have to present a negative test, a requirement that has been in place only since Dec. 28.

International travel has been decimated by the pandemic, with most European countries off limits to Americans and U.S. restrictions keeping most international visitors away. 

But pandemic vacationers have flocked to beach destinations that have reopened to tourists, including the Caribbean and Mexico. Some Caribbean destinations require proof of a negative coronavirus test to enter and have other restrictions, but Mexico does not.

The new requirement, which comes amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the U.S., means international travelers face another layer of restrictions.

What international travelers need to know about CDC's new COVID-19 test rule

Question: Does the testing requirement apply to U.S. citizens?

Answer: Yes, it applies to all airline passengers ages 2 and older bound for the United States, including visitors, citizens and legal permanent residents.

Q: Do passengers on flights from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have to get tested? 

A: No. U.S. territories are excluded from the CDC requirement.

Q: What kind of test do I need and when?

A: Travelers must get a viral test – antigen tests and nucleic acid amplification tests such as a PCR test qualify, but antibody tests don't – no more than three days before their flight departs and bring paper or electronic proof to the airport. Those who have tested positive for the virus within the past three months before travel can bypass the test requirement if they bring proof they have recovered from the virus and are cleared to travel by a licensed health care provider or health official.

Q: How can I prove I recovered from COVID-19? 

A: Bring your positive test result and a letter from your health care provider or a public health official that says you have been cleared for travel, the CDC says.

Q: I've had a COVID-19 vaccine. Am I exempt?

Q: Who is going to enforce this?

A: Airlines. They are still working out the details but will ask for proof at check-in. On flights from the U.K., for example, United Airlines asks for documentation in the ticket lobby. The CDC says passengers without negative test results or proof they have recovered from COVID-19 will be denied boarding. Those who provide false information are subject to criminal fines and imprisonment, the agency said. 

Q: How am I going to find a reputable place to get tested in a foreign country?

A: Look for guidance from airlines, hotels, tourism bureaus and health care providers in the coming weeks. Travelers to Hawaii have to provide a negative test to enter the state and bypass a mandatory quarantine, and airlines and tourism officials have provide extensive details on testing options. American Airlines said it will not be providing tests for passengers. 

Q: What if I take the test before my flight and I'm positive?

A: You will have an extended international vacation – in quarantine. At your own expense.

Q: How long will this requirement be in place?

A: No timeline was announced, but expect it to be in place as long as the virus is surging.

Q: I don't want to travel given the new testing requirement. Can I get a refund on my airline ticket?

A: Probably not, unless you bought a pricey refundable ticket. Airlines have made their ticket-change policies much more flexible during the pandemic, but they are issuing refunds only if they cancel a flight, as required by the government. Travelers who cancel flights on their own generally receive credit for a future flight.

The good news on this front: You won't have to pay a hefty ticket change fee when you go to use those funds. Major airlines last year  eliminated change fees on international flights , except for passengers flying on basic economy tickets.

Q: I have tickets for a flight to/back to the United States right after the new testing requirement begins but want to depart earlier so I don't have to get tested. What are my options?

A: So far, Delta Air Lines , American Airlines  and United Airlines have issued specific travel waivers on this front. Delta and American said travelers scheduled to fly to the United States through Feb. 9 can change their ticket to dates on or before Jan. 25 without paying a fare difference as long as they purchased their tickets prior to the CDC announcement. United has the same terms but it is extending the option to passengers due to travel through Feb. 15. Ticket change fees are already waived on each of the airlines.

How to Get a COVID Test for International Travel

A negative covid test continues to be a requirement to travel the world—including for entry into the united states. here’s how to get the right test when you need it..

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COVID tests are the must-have travel item of the pandemic.

Photo by Shutterstock

The need for COVID testing doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. Even as more people get vaccinated worldwide against COVID-19, variants such as Delta and Omicron have put numerous countries on high alert. Once again, there are new—and in some cases, stricter—COVID testing requirements for travel.

As of December 6, the United States began requiring that all international arrivals get tested for COVID no more than one calendar day before flying to the United States , regardless of vaccination status. That’s down from three days prior, making it even more of a last-minute challenge to get tested before flying to the U.S.

France and the United Kingdom also reintroduced COVID testing requirements in December for all travelers, regardless of vaccination status. The sudden developments served as a reminder of how quickly travelers sometimes have to scramble to find tests that satisfy new rules—for many, it’s overnight. How do you stay on top of so many changes? How do you know what you need? Look here for starters.

Whether travelers are in search of a COVID test before heading abroad or need to re-enter the U.S., here are the (numerous) options and ways to get a COVID test for international travel.

What kind of COVID test is required to enter the U.S.?

According to the official order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID tests that satisfy the U.S. entry requirement include a PCR test, antigen test (including a rapid antigen test), or an approved home or self test , which means that there are some easier options than a PCR test, the results for which can take longer to obtain—though, there are services that offer “rapid PCR” tests, usually for an added cost.

CDC-approved COVID self tests for international travel

The BinaxNOW Antigen home kit is sold as a six-pack for $150, which comes out to $25 for each kit.

Courtesy of Abbott

For travelers who are worried about obtaining a PCR or antigen test within a day of flying back to the U.S., there is the option of bringing a set of COVID-19 home or self tests with them. The CDC has approved a handful of self tests for international travel. They include the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Home Test , the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test with Azova , and Cue COVID-19 tests —all of which we have reviewed .

The tests can be self-administered—meaning you do your own nasal swab—but to meet the CDC requirements, they must be paired with a supervised telehealth video call in real time. (The above tests include the telehealth call service.) Travelers, take note: You must have a reliable internet connection wherever you plan to administer the test, so logging into the telehealth video call isn’t an issue.

Related We Reviewed the CDC-Approved COVID Home Tests for International Travel—Here’s What to Know

How to find a testing site abroad

Want to find out if the country you’re planning to visit has COVID testing sites that can turn around results within a day? A great place to start is the U.S. State Department’s detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories , which include an entire section on COVID-19 testing for each country. Right up front, the section answers the question of whether PCR and/or antigen tests are available to U.S. citizens and whether test results are reliably available within one calendar day. It also often includes information about where and how to obtain such tests.

Another good resource is TestforTravel.com , where you can search any international destination for testing centers and filter by the specific type of COVID-19 test you’re looking for.

The good news is that testing has ramped up worldwide, and it has become more widely available at international airports and hotels. Travel companies—including airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators—and travel advisors are also stepping in to help international travelers either actually get tested or find testing sites in their destination. The bad news is that pricing varies wildly. Tests can run anywhere from several dollars to several hundred dollars, which can make travel budgeting a bit of a nightmare.

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines have all developed resources to provide passengers with international testing information. American is doing so with the VeriFly app , a global health pass that allows users to more easily upload their health data.

Through its United app, United has added a feature called the “ Travel-Ready Center ” (located in the “My Trips” section of the app or online at United.com ). Once passengers access the Travel-Ready Center, they can identify COVID-19 travel requirements for upcoming trips, find local testing options, and upload proof of test results (as well as vaccination status).

Delta, too, has developed an easy COVID-19 testing search function on its website through which travelers can find testing center locations in numerous global destinations.

How to find a COVID test in the U.S. to travel internationally

First and foremost, you need to make sure you’re up to date on the latest entry requirements for the country or countries you plan to visit, or even just enter—there’s never been a better time to fly nonstop. As we have seen throughout the pandemic, these rules can change very quickly at times.

Again, the U.S. State Department’s country-specific COVID-19 advisories are a great place to start to find up-to-date entry rules and requirements. We have also rounded up our favorite interactive map tools that provide updated global COVID-19 travel information.

Once you know what’s required, whether you need a PCR or antigen test, for example, and within what time frame (between two and three days, or 48 to 72 hours, is the most common requirement), you can begin to track down testing options near you.

Mail-in COVID self tests

COVID testing throughout the U.S. is patchy at best in terms of availability and reliability, and it varies enormously from city to city, county to county, and state to state. Earlier this month, President Biden announced that at-home COVID tests will become more available and will be covered by private insurance plans. Additional details will be available in January, but there are a few home or self tests that travelers can stock up on with mail-in options that may qualify for health insurance reimbursement and that satisfy certain international government requirements for entry. (Of course, if the COVID test entry requirement is a very tight time frame—say, two or three days prior to travel—these mail-in options might not work.)

Note that these tests can be used for travel from the U.S. to international destinations that will accept the results , not the other way around. The tests that work for inbound travel to the U.S. from abroad were mentioned above and were reviewed by AFAR editors.

Here are some of the options we have found for self tests that could work for travel:

• EverlyWell COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit DTC ($109 per test, or discounted for $81.75 with code GIVEMORE): This FDA-authorized PCR test is delivered within two to eight business days of order, so it should be ordered at least a couple of weeks before travel. Once you receive it, take the self-administered test and mail it the same day using the included overnight delivery label. Upon receiving the sample, the lab will provide results within 24 to 48 hours.
• Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 Test At-Home Collection Kit ($119 per test): An FDA-authorized PCR test that is typically delivered within two days of order. The self test includes a FedEx overnight label that travelers use to send the sample back to the lab, where results are processed within one to two days.
• LetsGetChecked COVID-19 Pre-Flight Test & Lab Report ($109 per test): A home testing kit that travelers can order in advance. The company advises at least five days prior to travel (but why not stock up even earlier than that?). After collecting the sample yourself using a nasal swab, you then send it to the lab with a prepaid next-day delivery label, and results can be expected within 24 to 72 hours after arriving in the lab. This is also an FDA-authorized PCR test.

In-person COVID testing options in the U.S.

Large pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens , healthcare networks, and county and state health agencies are among the numerous entities that offer COVID testing but not always with the guarantee of receiving results within a specific two- or three-day window. Travelers may need to rely on pricier local private providers and urgent care centers (such as CityMD and Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York and COVIDCheckToday in Southern California, Denver, Las Vegas, and Miami) to get a test for travel quickly. DMCOVID-19 Test is a nationwide testing service that does house calls and offers same- and next-day results—for a hefty fee; same-day services will run you around $300 and next-day around $220.

Getting tested at the airport

Another option (or backup option if waiting until just before departure is a little too nerve wracking for you) is to get tested at the airport.

XpresSpa Group’s XpresCheck brand now has COVID-19 testing locations at 11 U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Dulles, Houston, Newark, New York (JFK), Phoenix, Seattle, and San Francisco. Services include a standard PCR test with results within 48 to 96 hours (for $75) and a rapid PCR test with results within 60 minutes (for a much heftier $250). Beyond XpresCheck, countless U.S. airports have their own testing facilities as well now, so travelers can look into options at their local hub.

U.S. airports that have COVID testing facilities include:

• Los Angeles International Airport
• Oakland International Airport
• San Diego International Airport
• Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport
• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
• Miami International Airport
• Tampa International Airport
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu, Hawai‘i)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport
• Chicago Midway International Airport
• Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
• New York’s LaGuardia Airport
• Portland International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

What happens if you test positive?

“If you were to test positive for COVID-19 while overseas, you would need to postpone your trip back to the United States, potentially for several weeks. All travelers should have a plan B,” the U.S. State Department’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Ian Brownlee, said during a January 26 media briefing when the testing requirement for international travelers entering the U.S. was first introduced.

Brownlee noted that U.S. travelers should consider where they would stay, the cost of an extended stay, and the repercussions they would face if they could not immediately return, whether for work, for childcare issues, or other responsibilities.

“Think through the answers to these important questions carefully” prior to committing to travel plans, Brownlee said. Another recommendation he has for international travelers: Consider travel insurance that covers COVID-19 medical treatments and COVID-19 related travel disruptions.

And the same goes for outbound travel—travelers need to consider what kind of safeguards they have in place, including the cancellation policies for all components of their trip, in the event that they or anyone in their travel group tests positive before flying out.

>> Next: The Best Travel Plan This Holiday Season: A Backup Plan

Airlines Are Making it Easier for Travelers to Submit COVID-19 Tests

By Jessica Puckett

One of the most comprehensive COVID-19 travel regulations is now in effect, nearly a year into the pandemic.

All travelers —including citizens—entering the U.S. need a negative COVID test in order to board a flight from an international destination. The screening must be a viral test taken within three days of departure, according to the protocols put in place by the CDC.

Airlines are responsible for verifying the medical documentation, and in some cases denying boarding to those without proper test results. As a result, carriers have adapted a slew of new technologies to streamline the new process.

United Airlines, for instance, launched a “Travel-Ready Center” on Monday. Available through United's app and website, the new online hub is a “one-stop shop where customers can review their specific COVID-19 travel requirements for upcoming travel, find local testing options in select markets, and upload any testing or vaccination records,” the airline says. 

When a passenger uploads their test records to the Travel-Ready Center, United employees verify them electronically. After a passenger is deemed “travel-ready," they are allowed to check in for their flight. Passengers who upload test results can be cleared for check-in and receive a mobile boarding pass all before arriving at the airport.

United's new app feature lets passengers know if they are cleared to fly.

Later in February, United plans to launch a test-booking feature that would allow its passengers to make an appointment at one of more than 15,000 testing sites around the world. If the passenger tests negative and is able to travel based on the new protocols, the test provider will directly alert United.

Delta has similarly launched an online tool to help its passengers find acceptable testing centers around the world. Additionally, Delta is waiving change fees on international flights booked on or before January 12 (the day the new requirements were announced) if the ticket was originally scheduled for travel through February 16. 

The fee waiver is presumably so customers have more time to schedule a test before departure, but getting a test might be less time consuming than travelers think, thanks to some flexibility in the CDC requirements. “A new feature is the inclusion of rapid testing into the mix, so it doesn't necessarily mean it only has to be a PCR test,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said on the airline's recent earnings call. "And with the growth of antigen testing, the quality of antigen testing that's out there, and the supplies in place, you literally could get some of these tests done within a 10-minute interval shortly before you return.”

American Airlines has also expanded a partnership with health passport app VeriFly: Passengers on all of American's international flights can now download the app , choose their destination, and see their travel requirements . After uploading their COVID-19 test documents to the app, VeriFly will confirm the date and type of test, and send a QR code once approved for gate agents to scan.

Other airlines in the U.S. and around the world have been taking similar steps, even before the new CDC testing guidelines were announced. In December, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Swiss, United, and Virgin Atlantic began to roll out the CommonPass app—which makes test results easy to read, similar to VeriFly—on certain routes from New York, Boston, London, and Hong Kong. Other international carriers, including heavy hitters like Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad, have signed on for customers to use a similar app: IATA Travel Pass.

The majority of airlines' new online tools have capabilities for passengers to upload their vaccination status as well, which some experts have predicted could become the next travel requirement in order to board international flights.

We’re reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find our latest coronavirus coverage here , or visit our complete guide to COVID-19 and travel .  

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CDC Now Requires Negative COVID-19 Test Result From International Travelers

 Hugo Lin / Verywell

Key Takeaways

• The CDC now requires all incoming travelers from abroad to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding their flight.
• The announcement comes at a time when new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are spreading from places like the U.K., Brazil, and South Africa.
• Some airlines are offering at-home testing services and resources to help passengers understand testing requirements at their destinations.

With more than 100 million confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is taking new steps to limit infections from abroad.

On January 26, the agency implemented the new guidelines. Now, all passengers traveling by air to the U.S. from abroad must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation showing recovery from the disease.

People must be tested no more than 3 days before their flight and show a negative COVID-19 test result to the airline before boarding, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from a healthcare provider or a public health official stating that they were cleared to travel). The CDC says the rule applies to all people older than 2 years, regardless of citizenship status.

U.S. territories are not considered to be foreign countries—this means that people traveling from American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will not be required to provide proof of a COVID-19 test to fly. The documentation does not have to be in English, but the order states “airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to confirm the test result and review other required information.”

Though the rule is strict about who may board a flight, there are no strict guidelines for self-isolating or re-testing upon arrival in the states. Kunjana Mavunda, MD, a pulmonologist from Florida who also runs an international travel clinic, tells Verywell the rule is a necessary step for limiting COVID-19 exposure from overseas.

“We should have had this rule a long time ago,” she says.

What This Means For You

If you are planning to travel internationally, you must now provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result from no more than three days before flying. To stay as safe as possible during the flight, experts recommend wearing surgical or multi-layer masks, choosing a seat away from other passengers, and limiting the number of times you move about the cabin.

Benefits and Drawbacks

The new rule builds off a CDC order issued on December 24 requiring COVID-19 tests for passengers flying into the U.S. from the U.K. and echoes similar travel restrictions implemented in countries across the world.

"Testing of travelers, in general, is controversial but becoming commonplace," Henry Wu, MD, director of Emory TravelWell Center and associate professor of infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine in Georgia, tells Verywell. "Its benefits and pitfalls depend largely on what your goals are."

Overall, experts believe this testing requirement will reduce transmission of the virus on airplanes, and may help curb the spread of new variants from one country to another.

"Pre-travel testing requirements will certainly reduce risks of transmissions on aircraft, though the baseline risk appears very low to start with, especially with masking mandates," Wu says. "Requirements could reduce the introductions of new, more transmissible or virulent strains—this is the intent of the U.S. rule. However, there would be minimal or no benefit if a strain is already common in the U.S."

However, there may be some potential drawbacks to this rule as well. "There are concerns that travelers from low resource countries could use up limited testing resources locally," Wu says. "Also there is a concern that returning U.S. travelers with COVID-19 could be stuck in countries with poor healthcare resources, and receive poor care if they develop severe illness."

Despite this, Wu believes the test is beneficial. "I personally think testing requirements and travel restrictions are warranted at this time since we do not have a good sense of how common these emerging strains are in the U.S.," he says.

Choosing the Right Test

The CDC says it will accept any viral test that is authorized for detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by the country in which it’s administered. This includes reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and antigen, or rapid, tests.

However, not all COVID-19 tests have the same level of efficacy. Antigen tests are known to be less reliable and have incidences of false negatives.

"Substandard testing is always a concern, as well as counterfeit lab reports or false healthcare provider letters to document recovery," Wu says. "We have always known about fake yellow fever vaccine certificates, and I’m sure there will be a market for fake COVID-19 test reports."

Additionally, if a person has recovered from COVID-19, PCR tests may indicate they are still infected with the virus weeks later, making it challenging to discover and prove that they are no longer infected.

“Because of the fact that the rapid test can give false negatives, the masks and social distancing at the airport continue to be important because there is a possibility of an infected person getting onto the plane,” Mavunda says.

Hugo Lin / Verywell

If a person receives a positive test result before their flight, they won’t be able to board the plane and must quarantine and recover before returning to the U.S.

Traveling Safely

A report published in October from the Department of Defense, Boeing, and United Airlines claims that there is minimal risk of catching COVID-19 from flying. Despite the apparent efficacy of airplane air filters and ventilation systems, experts warn that the risk of exposure increases when considering human factors like removing masks to eat and drink and sharing common bathrooms.

To stay safe while flying, Mavunda recommends limiting your exposure to other passengers by choosing to sit in a window seat away from the aisles and minimizing time spent in bathrooms, and moving about the cabin. If possible, she says it’s best to be among the last people to board and the first to exit the plane to limit the number of people who pass you.

Experts say it’s also a good idea to carry a personal supply of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes to disinfect airplane seats, tables, and other high-touch surfaces. It’s also important to make sure your face mask provides adequate protection.

“If you have multiple layers of cloth masks, that's better than a single layer," Mavunda says. "But definitely, the surgical masks are better."

How Airlines Are Adjusting

Some airlines are offering services to make it easier for travelers to understand the guidelines in the U.S. and abroad, and to comply with the CDC order.

American Airlines, for example, recently launched an app called VeriFly. According to a company statement, the app will allow users to understand testing requirements at their destination and upload negative COVID-19 results and other documents.

Delta Airlines will soon sell at-home testing kits that passengers can use before a flight or pack to take with them on their trip to be tested before returning. The company also offers resources for customers to find testing sites abroad while traveling, Adrian Gee, MA, senior coordinator of corporate communications at Delta Airlines, tells Verywell in an email.

American Airlines also began selling at-home testing kits in December, before the new CDC rules were implemented.  

Weighing the Costs of Travel

With the new regulations, travelers may have to factor in additional costs and time to receive COVID-19 tests and await results.

And as has been true throughout the global pandemic, choosing to travel typically puts a person at greater risk of infection.  For example, if you are on a flight that is mid-route and a nearby passenger refuses to wear their mask, it may not be possible to relocate to a safer location away from the exposure.

“When you're at home you have control over your environment,” Mavunda says. “Unfortunately, when you travel or when you're on a plane, you may get into a situation that's not good and you might not be able to get out.”

Wu agrees. "Don’t travel, internationally or domestically, unless it is absolutely necessary," he says. "While COVID-19 is highly prevalent throughout the U.S., the specter of emerging strains that are more dangerous and possibly not as well controlled by our vaccines is a major concern. Furthermore, travelers are generally prone to more situations that put them at risk for exposure or infecting others, so staying home when you can is going to help us control this pandemic."

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page .

World Health Organization. WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States .

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  A Closer Look at COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing .

TRANSCOM/AMC.  Commercial Aircraft Cabin Aerosol Dispersion Tests .

American Airlines. American Airlines Is First US Airline to Introduce Health Passport for All International Travel to US .

By Claire Bugos Bugos is a senior news reporter at Verywell Health. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

Delta ready to welcome customers as international travel to the U.S. resumes   

Effective Nov. 8, vaccinated international travelers who want to come to the U.S. can now do so, following the Biden Administration’s announcement that it will lift travel restrictions on foreign nationals that have been in place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reopening of international travel will allow for the reunification of thousands of families and friends from around the world who have been separated for more than 18 months, just in time for the holidays.

International travel is vital to help reverse the devastating economic impact on America’s travel and tourism industry, which was hit hard by the pandemic. It is also an essential component in recovering global trade and commerce, particularly across the Atlantic. New York-JFK to London Heathrow is the world’s most important route for business travel.

“I applaud the administration’s decision to welcome foreign nationals back to the United States beginning Nov. 8. Thanks to the remarkable scientific efforts undertaken by the administration to protect public health through world-leading vaccination programs and health safety protocols, U.S. borders can safely be reopened,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “International air travel is essential to global economic recovery and the United States’ tourism industry. Delta people are excited to play our part in reuniting families for the holidays and reconnecting the world after more than 19 months apart.”

DELTA’S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK

While leisure travel has remained consistently high, Delta is adding more flights across the globe as demand for international and business travel returns.

PLAN YOUR TRIP |  Delta Travel Planning Center

In November, customers traveling to the U.S. from across the pond can easily connect to Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, New York-JFK, Minneapolis, Seattle and Salt Lake City with over 190 weekly nonstop flights from 16 markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Including partners Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, customers have even greater choice with over 430 weekly flights to the U.S.

In Latin America, Delta has nearly fully restored service to all its pre-COVID markets in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The airline is operating approximately 80 daily flights from 39 markets to Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Minneapolis.

Customers traveling from across the Pacific have choice of 37 weekly flights from Shanghai, Nagoya, Tokyo-Haneda, Seoul-Incheon and Sydney to Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and Seattle.

VACCINE AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Foreign nationals will be permitted to enter the U.S. with proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of departure. Vaccinated U.S. citizens returning from abroad will also be required to submit a negative test result from a test within three days of departure, a policy already in place. Any unvaccinated U.S. citizens must test within one day of departure and purchase a test to take after arrival.

Delta’s new health credential solution,  Delta FlyReady , takes the guesswork out of meeting health requirements and syncs to customers’ itineraries to make travel more convenient. Delta FlyReady already makes it possible for most customers traveling to the U.S. to upload a negative test result prior to travel and will in the coming weeks enable the uploading of vaccination credentials as well. Customers traveling from the U.S. to many countries that require proof of vaccination and a negative test already have the option to leverage Delta FlyReady to upload both results, and that functionality continues to expand to additional exit-U.S. routes.

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What to Know About Testing and Vaccine Requirements for Travel

Do you need to be vaccinated or have a negative Covid-19 test for your next trip? Check this guide before traveling domestically or abroad.

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By Concepción de León

As vaccinations ramp up and regulations loosen for people in the United States, many are planning travel for summer and beyond, with experts predicting that July 4 will be the biggest travel weekend since the beginning of the pandemic.

But with regulations shifting, people might have questions about testing or vaccination requirements for their trips. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently eased travel recommendations to more than 100 countries. On June 18, the European Union added the United States to its “safe list” of countries , meaning that both vaccinated and unvaccinated American travelers should now be able to visit the 27 member countries, but these member states are allowed to set their own requirements and restrictions for travelers.

In the United States, the C.D.C. has advised that vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in most places and released new travel guidelines that said domestic travel is safe for them. But travelers must take note of local advice and regulations, as these can vary state by state.

Here’s everything you need to consider about testing and vaccinations before you travel within the U.S. or internationally.

Are there testing and vaccination requirements for domestic travel?

For most places, no. You do not need to be vaccinated for any domestic travel. Hawaii is the only state that requires a negative test for travel.

In Hawaii, the test must be administered within 72 hours of arrival and the results uploaded to its Safe Travel platform to avoid a mandatory quarantine when entering the state.

Alternatively in Hawaii, you can also provide proof that you’ve recovered from Covid-19 in the past 90 days, including both a positive test result and a letter from a doctor clearing you to travel.

The state’s governor, David Ige, said this month that people who received their vaccination in the state of Hawaii may bypass testing and quarantine requirements starting on June 15, and that anyone vaccinated in the U.S. will be able to enter Hawaii without testing once the state has reached a 60 percent vaccination rate.

If you are unvaccinated, you should continue to adhere to social distancing and mask-wearing protocols while traveling domestically, the C.D.C. said . You can use the C.D.C.’s Travel Planner to check guidelines by state.

What are the testing and vaccination rules for international travel?

While testing and vaccination requirements vary by destination country, everyone arriving in the U.S. — even vaccinated Americans — must present a negative test result upon entry .

Many nations are still closed to American travelers. Those that are open may require a negative test, proof of vaccination or evidence of recovery (or a combination of these) to enter.

The United Kingdom , for instance, requires that American travelers, regardless of vaccination status, provide proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure, quarantine upon arrival and take two additional tests during their stay. Children under 11 are exempt from these requirements, as are some other people depending on their reason for travel.

Some European countries have been allowing in Americans who are vaccinated or who can show a negative test. Americans are on the European Union’s “safe list” of countries, but while the bloc aims to take a coordinated approach to travel this summer, member states will be allowed to set their own requirements for travelers from individual countries, which could include testing and vaccination.

The E.U. “safe list” also applies to Europe’s border-free Schengen Zone, which includes non-E.U. countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein.

Canada is still closed to Americans , with few exceptions, and will remain so until at least early July, said Patty Hajdu, the country’s minister of health, in a news conference in June.

The U.S.-Mexico land border is closed for nonessential travel until at least June 21, but air travel is allowed and the country does not require a negative test for entry. Because of its high risk level, the C.D.C. recommends that travelers be fully vaccinated before traveling to Mexico.

Consult the C.D.C.’s inventory of international travel health notices for more information on regulations by country.

“Travelers should always check with their airline and the embassy of the country they are visiting to ensure they have the proper documentation required to enter the country,” said Perry Flint, a spokesman for The International Air Transport Association, a global airline industry group.

What test should I take, and where and when?

To enter the U.S., travelers must show a negative result to a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) — PCR is a type of NAAT test — or an antigen test, also known as a rapid test, taken in the three days before departure, according to the C.D.C .

Some airports offer on-site testing, such as Heathrow Airport in England, or Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport in Italy.

Josh Alexander, a New York-based luxury travel agent for Protravel International, said that many international hotels, including most Four Seasons hotels and resorts , are offering on-site rapid tests for free or at a nominal cost.

Testing at local clinics is also available in many places, though you should check availability at your destination ahead of time and book if you can. It may also come at a high cost. Mr. Alexander said that PCR tests abroad can range from $50 to $150.

The C.D.C. said that it allows for a three-day time frame rather than 72 hours to allow flexibility in the time of day the test can be taken. For instance, if you are flying out on a Friday, the test may be taken at any time on Tuesday.

But, when it comes to international destinations, Mr. Alexander recommends erring on the side of caution when timing your test by calculating it based on time of arrival at your destination.

“Rules are constantly changing,” he said, “so we’re just trying to always tell people they should always be as conservative as possible to eliminate any gray area.”

What are the requirements for minors?

The C.D.C. testing recommendations apply to all children 2 years and older, which means your toddler also needs to deliver a negative Covid-19 test to enter the U.S. from abroad. When traveling, children should wear masks, practice social distancing and wash hands often, the C.D.C. said .

“If the kids are age 12 and older, get ’em vaccinated,” said William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, in an email.

If you’re traveling to a country within the European Union that is open to travelers from the U.S., children who cannot be vaccinated should have a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival at your destination, and additional testing may be required upon arrival.

Travelers should check with their airline or destination country website for relevant requirements.

What if I want to go on a cruise?

Rules vary from one cruise line to another, with some planning to require that all passengers and crew be vaccinated, and others adopting a hybrid model.

But recent laws passed in Florida and Texas banning businesses from requiring proof of vaccination to use their services may complicate this plan.

Celebrity Cruises, set to be the first U.S. cruise ship to restart operations on June 26 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said it’s optimistic that a resolution would be reached in time . It is requiring that guests 16 years and older be vaccinated, while children will be tested at the terminal.

Carnival Cruises said on Monday that its first ship would set sail from the Port of Galveston, in Texas, on July 3 and would be available only for vaccinated passengers. Norwegian, which will begin to operate cruises from Miami in August, said it will require the same through October 31 and has threatened to skip Florida ports if the state does not allow cruise lines an exemption from the law banning vaccine requirements.

Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement on June 7 that “the current CDC requirements for cruising with a guest base that is unvaccinated will make it very difficult to deliver the experience our guests expect, especially given the large number of families with younger children who sail with us.”

“As a result, our alternative is to operate our ships from the U.S. during the month of July with vaccinated guests,” she said.

But even if you are vaccinated, you must also consider the requirements of the country where the cruise is disembarking. The Caribbean island of St. Maarten, for instance, where Celebrity Cruises started sailing on June 5, requires a negative test in addition to proof of vaccination.

What documents should I bring with me if I travel?

This will also depend on where you’re going, but a good rule of thumb is to carry your physical vaccine card, if you have it, and proof of a negative test, if it is required.

Mr. Alexander, the travel agent, recommends people bring the original documents. While a number of digital health certificates — which show vaccine status and test results — are in the works, he said, they are not yet widely accepted. You should check, also, that your document is in the correct language. The United Kingdom , for instance, requires that test results be in English, Spanish or French.

CommonPass , from the Geneva-based nonprofit the Commons Project Foundation, and the I.A.T.A. Travel Pass are two apps providing digital access to vaccine and testing records for travel. The European Union will be releasing its own digital Covid certificate for E.U. citizens by July 1, though it is unclear whether Americans will be able to use it.

You should check with your airline to see if the app you want to use will be accepted at your destination. Both the CommonPass and I.A.T.A. websites list destinations and airline partners accepting the digital health certificates.

Mr. Alexander added that some countries, such as Croatia, may also require proof of a return flight or confirmation of your hotel booking or other accommodation, though this is rare. In South Africa, which has implemented a curfew, travelers may need to show their flight ticket to law enforcement officers to show they are allowed to be in transit.

But these shifting regulations should not dissuade people from traveling, Mr. Alexander said.

“If you’re vaccinated and you’re following safe precautions, you can still have a great experience,” he said.

Concepción de León is a travel reporter based in New York. More about Concepción de León

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I Just Tested Positive for COVID. Should I Get on the Plane Anyway?

This is an ethical dilemma many of us are now facing: Is it OK to fly when I’ve got COVID? Outside’s travel expert weighs in.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I’m about to go on spring break, and if I test positive for COVID before flying home, I can’t afford to isolate for five days in a place or miss extra work. It seems like everyone is coughing and sneezing on planes these days, and folks are opting to fly anyway. As much as I want to be a conscientious traveler, why should I pay another thousand bucks to stay in a hotel and quarantine for five days when nobody else appears to be doing that? —Weary of the Pandemic

You’re right. Most Americans are tired of dealing with pandemic rules and regulations—including the government. On January 30, President Biden announced that, as of May 11, the administration would officially shift away from treating COVID as a national public-health crisis and instead begin to manage it more like the flu or other seasonal respiratory disease. But does that mean we should be flying if we’re infected?

If you travel, even infrequently, and haven’t yet grappled with this question, chances are you will. I found myself in the throes of such a predicament right before the holidays. I was on assignment in Antarctica on a 100-passenger cruise ship, and although cruises were considered a hotbed for the coronavirus in the early days of the pandemic, almost two years later, any fear of catching the virus had faded from my mind. I should have known better and read the obvious signs: namely, being welcomed aboard by masked staff.

In hindsight, I probably should have taken a COVID test before flying home to New Jersey for Christmas to see my virus-phobic mom and immune-compromised aunt. But I’d been vaccinated, did not feel sick, and assumed that if anyone on the ship had gotten sick, we would have been alerted.

On the ten-hour leg of my flight from Buenos Aires to Houston, I sat next to a lovely elderly couple from the cruise, both of whom were vigilant about keeping on their N95 masks. Two days after I returned, I received an email from a passenger I’d befriended, who reported that at least a dozen people on the cruise had come down with COVID—including the couple I sat next to on the plane.

“Yes, I felt like an asshole,” a friend of mine who recently flew home when she thought she might have COVID admits. “Yes, I worried that I could’ve infected someone with a weak immune system. But people are coughing and sniffling on planes and in airports all the time.”

Thankfully, I tested negative, but the incident made me realize how easily I could have unknowingly gotten my family sick, perhaps with serious consequences. It also made me consider what the travel repercussions of testing positive might have been: missing Christmas with my family and having to quarantine alone in Ushuaia, Argentina, for at least five days (as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

When I mentioned the situation to a friend, she admitted she’d recently taken a flight to Oahu, even though she knew she had COVID. “It’s so unethical, but I honestly was adamant about this trip,” she confided. “I needed a vacation, and I felt totally fine. I wore a mask, obviously.”

With Relaxed COVID Requirements, Many Sick Travelers Have Opted to Fly

We all have our reasons for traveling while sick. For better or for worse, sidestepping COVID guidelines has become much easier for travelers. For more than a year, providing timely proof of a negative COVID test ahead of your flight was a pricey, stressful hassle. So, as a road warrior, I was relieved when the CDC dropped this mandate for domestic travel last June. (Regulations for international travel have largely followed suit, with very few nations still requiring testing or proof of vaccination for inbound passengers; a full list of country-specific entry requirements can be found here .)

Quarantining while traveling has also been a costly and inconvenient part of the pandemic, as anyone who has been required to do it can attest. Now given the choice of traveling with COVID or hunkering down and isolating, which could cost thousands of dollars in hotel fees, room-service meals, missed work, and child care, many choose to fly infected with the coronavirus. And there are no rules stopping them from boarding a plane.

Last August, Ellen (not her real name) started to feel a tickle in her throat on the final day of her weeklong trip to Kauai. “I thought, Oh shit, I cannot get COVID right now,” she recalls. Her first vacation since pandemic travel restrictions had relaxed was, it turns out, anything but relaxing: The town of Hanalei felt super crowded. Restaurants averaged two-hour waits for dinner. And everything, from her Airbnb to meals, was expensive.

In this transitional period of the pandemic, many people are already treating COVID like the flu or a cold, says Henry Wu, director of the Emory TravelWell Center in Atlanta.

“By the last day of the trip, I started feeling run-down, and I really wanted to get home,” she says. “I didn’t want to be isolated in a last-minute, overpriced hotel room for five more days on the island and deal with flight-change costs. Not to mention my partner and I were due back at work.”

Ellen decided not to test before her flight back to the mainland, rationalizing that germs were everywhere and other passengers on her flight likely had COVID, too. She took extra precautions to assuage her guilt, double-masking with N95’s and sanitizing her hands more frequently than she normally would. But by the time she got home from the red-eye flight, she had a fever and sore throat, and when she finally took a COVID test, it was positive. Her partner, who had been around her unmasked at the height of contagion, never got sick.

“Yes, I felt like an asshole,” she admits. “Yes, I worried that I could’ve infected someone with a weak immune system. But people are coughing and sniffling on planes and in airports all the time.”

Amid the height of cold and flu season, it can seem like everyone traveling has a sniffle and the majority of people aren’t letting any illness—a common cold, COVID, or RSV among the top three this year and difficult to discern, based on symptoms—cancel big plans. In mid-January, Jamie DeLancey flew from Denver to San Francisco to watch the 49ers play in the NFL’s wild-card championship game, with what he assumed was a bad cold. He’d come down with COVID before and this felt different, so he did not test, noting that he hasn’t found such tests to be reliable. While he wore a mask on his flights, he didn’t wear one at the game.

In this transitional period of the pandemic, many people are already treating it like the flu or a cold, says Henry Wu, director of the Emory TravelWell Center in Atlanta. “In a way, that’s a logical rationale if you’re vaccinated and unlikely to get sick,” he says. “But that’s not the reality for some people who are elderly or immune-compromised. In many ways, things haven’t changed. If you’re sick and in contact with them, you could put them in the hospital.”

The CDC continues to advise avoiding travel if you are sick with or have tested positive for COVID, and isolating for at least five days after your positive test if you’re either asymptomatic or your symptoms first appear; following these guidelines, you should test again on day six and then wear a high-quality mask, such as an N95, when outdoors between days six and ten if you are around others, including on a plane. Whether the masses of travelers adhere to these is another thing altogether, as we’ve all seen play out on airlines.

How to Avoid Frustration, Fees, and Questionable Choices if You Get COVID Before or During a Trip

When Ross Holbrook flew from Denver to San José del Cabo, Mexico, with his wife and two young daughters last May, he watched his seatmate chug a bottle of DayQuil cold medicine. Holbrook was vaccinated and wearing a mask, but on day three of their family vacation, he tested positive for COVID; by day eight, his wife and one of the girls were also positive. Their Airbnb had a pool, so they made the best of things, but due to the mandatory quarantine rules in effect at the time, the family estimates they spent nearly $3,000 extending their car and Airbnb rentals. “We did consider driving home,” he says, but that idea was abandoned as impractical.

Five extra days in a destination like Mexico or Hawaii can cost a small fortune, not to mention difficult to find a room at the height of spring break or summer travel. What if you can’t afford to isolate and stay extra days in a place if you get COVID? Should you put off travel completely? Not necessarily, but you should have a COVID game plan that protects others, says Richard Martinello, the medical director of infection prevention at Yale New Haven Health in Connecticut.

“We all have busy lives, but as part of society, we have responsibilities not to put others in harm’s way, like not driving drunk,” he says. “Putting yourself in prolonged close contact with fellow travelers when you are knowingly sick, whether with COVID or any other contagious virus, is irresponsible. You never know who you’re sitting next to on a plane. If they’re immune-compromised, even a cold could push them over the edge to serious illness.”

Martinello acknowledges that the average traveler can’t afford to miss five additional days from work and home, so if you must travel sick, he suggests driving rather than flying or another form of public transportation. That said, if a partner or friend will be driving with you, they should be aware that you’re sick, he says, so they are consenting and can test and isolate appropriately.

Stuck somewhere like Hawaii, where flying home is the only option? Take every precaution to limit contagion spread. Wear an N95 mask. Paper surgical masks are the next best option, and homemade cloth masks even have some value in preventing the spread of germs, he says. You can also request to be moved next to an empty seat.

Check Your Airline’s COVID Policies

Several airlines, including Delta and United, continue to waive change fees for travelers looking to rebook due to COVID. Hawaiian Airlines will allow a one-time ticket change (with the difference in fares charged) for the same circumstances. Purchasing travel insurance for a flight also covers most COVID cancellations and rebookings.

Such thoughtful policies have prompted some travelers to make the morally conscious decision when illness sets in. Carmino DeMecurio was one of those people. He was booked to fly from New York City to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a business trip on January 19, but tested positive for COVID on January 16. He canceled the entire trip and said Delta immediately issued him an e-credit for a future flight. He was able to call in remotely for his meeting. “It wasn’t ideal to be the only person on a screen, but out of respect for others, it seemed like the right decision,” he says.

Consider Getting Travel Insurance

While airlines can be accommodating, quarantine lodging accommodations can be the real zinger for travelers. According to a spokesperson for the American Hotel and Lodging Association, it’s up to individual hotels to decide whether to offer a discounted rate if a guest must extend a stay due to quarantine. If you’ve splurged on a big trip, or you’re traveling far from home, trip insurance might be a smart investment. Allianz Travel Insurance recently added an Epidemic Coverage Endorsement to some of its plans. Under this new policy, if you have proof—a PCR test or a physician’s note—that you’ve tested positive for COVID during a trip, you can be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs, as well as additional accommodation and transportation costs incurred, depending on which situation applies.

Allianz’s OneTrip Basic policy, for example, offers up to $10,000 in trip cancellation and trip-interruption benefits per insured person, while the OneTrip Prime , the company’s most comprehensive policy, covers up to $100,000 in trip cancellation and up to $150,000 in trip-interruption benefits, with the option to tack on what’s called a Cancel Anytime upgrade, an option that reimburses travelers for up to 80 percent of prepaid, nonrefundable expenses for a trip that must be canceled for almost any reason not already covered by the policy.

According to an Allianz spokesperson, travelers can typically expect to pay 5 to 6 percent of the cost of their vacation for a standard travel-insurance policy. Actual prices will fluctuate based on a traveler’s age, state of residence, primary destination, length of stay, and total cost of their trip. For example, a 34-year-old from California traveling to Africa for a $9,700 three-week safari would pay $443 for a policy.

So should you travel with COVID if you come down with it on your upcoming spring-break trip? That depends on how prepared you are with a contingency plan, an adequate insurance policy, and the risk you’re willing to take when it comes to your personal health and the health of others, as you can still be hospitalized and even die from the virus. Not least is the ethical consideration of it all. Martinello advises travelers to follow the simple golden rule of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” And if you don’t trust your fellow air passengers—which, as this article reflects, are generally as eager to get away or get home as you are—do everyone a favor and wear a mask.

Any number of concerns are on our radar as we plan our next trip, from serious issues like how destinations are working to mitigate tourists’ environmental impact to inconveniences like months-long passport wait times. In this column, our travel expert Jen Murphy will be addressing your questions about how to navigate the world. Check out her previous  column, on how to avoid bed bugs during your next hotel stay, here . 

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COVID-19 Testing for International Travel: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know

By Amanda Wowk

January 11, 2022

Travel Tips

Two months ago, I flew on my first international flight since the start of the pandemic. And while I have spent the better part of two years researching and writing about how COVID-19 has reshaped the travel landscape —including changing air travel requirements —I still found the process of planning to comply with said requirements confusing. 

For the first time, I had to make decisions about how I would comply—i.e., should I book my COVID-19 tests locally, or purchase at-home tests to bring with me?—as well as how to prepare for the worst—as in, what’s my plan if I test positive abroad?

Like many travelers, I saw my destination’s requirements change from the time I booked my trip, to when I actually took my trip, and of course, after I returned from my trip, too (looking at you, Omicron). 

Given the fluid nature of international travel requirements, here’s what you need to know (as a U.S. traveler) to be as prepared as possible to comply and fly. 

Who needs to test for international travel? 

In short, everyone. Because regardless of your vaccination status (or international destination), all inbound travelers to the U.S. must provide a negative test result before boarding. As of December 6, 2021, all passengers traveling to the U.S. must get tested (and provide a negative result) for COVID-19 no more than one calendar day before departure. Previously, the requirement was within three days from departure.

But let’s back up. What about the requirements of your destination outside the U.S.? That’s where requirements can vary widely—and change constantly. 

For example, back in November, I flew from Detroit (DTW) to Edinburgh, UK (EDI) via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). At the time, I was required to take two tests—the UK’s Day 2 test and the pre-departure test required by the U.S. 

Because I was in transit and for the allotted window of time, I did not need to show proof of vaccination or test results during my layover at AMS. That said, if I had plans to stay in Amsterdam, I would have been subject to additional requirements. 

Tip: Always check the destination requirements for your layover airports. Some countries have entry requirements (including proof of vaccination and/or testing) that apply to travelers regardless of your length of stay.

As you plan your next international trip, be sure to research and prepare to comply with the testing requirements at your destination as well as those for when you return home. Keep in mind that these requirements might change between booking and traveling—or even while you’re on your trip. 

Also keep in mind that vaccination requirements vary from country to country, as well. While you may not need to be vaccinated for entry, you may be required to quarantine and/or subject to additional testing during your trip. 

Read more: TripIt Adds New Enhancements for Navigating Travel Based on Your Vaccination Status 

Where can I find information about my destination’s testing requirements? 

To stay in the know about testing requirements related to my trip, I consulted TripIt’s COVID-19 guidance feature as well as my destination’s official government website (in my case, the Scottish government’s COVID-19 advice for international travelers ). 

Your airline might also provide you with this information, as well as provide guidance to help you fulfill those requirements. 

For example, after booking my flights, Delta Air Lines sent me a pre-trip checklist, including resources for determining the testing requirements at my destination, as well as what I’d need to return to the U.S. 

Other airlines have also introduced similar resources. United Airlines launched its Travel-Ready Center to help passengers understand and comply with travel requirements. American Airlines also created a similar toolkit . 

Where can I get a COVID-19 test? 

… the magic question. Thankfully, TripIt’s COVID-19 guidance feature showed me that my airline offered assistance with booking tests . Some of the options available to me were: 

• Pre-purchase at-home tests that I could take with me on my trip
• Book tests at a testing facility, e.g., the local airport 

I chose to pre-purchase two tests to bring with me: a self-administered PCR test that I would need to drop in the mail to satisfy my Day 2 Test requirements, and a rapid test conducted via live video observation to satisfy the pre-departure test requirement for entry to the U.S.

While pre-purchasing tests was certainly the more costly option (versus booking locally), I was willing to pay for the peace of mind. That said, I know of other travelers who’ve preferred to book tests at their hotels, local pharmacies , and/or local testing sites. 

Tip: Be sure to research the requirements related to the tests you need to take during your trip. For example, the UK requires all international travelers to complete a Passenger Locator Form before departure (I had to show this form upon checking in at DTW). On this form, I had to provide the confirmation number of my pre-booked Day 2 test. In other words, I couldn’t have left the booking/taking of this test up to chance, or until I arrived in the UK. It had to be booked ahead of my trip. 

That may not be the case at your intended destination, but be sure you find out this information ahead of your trip. 

Read more: Now Arriving: COVID-19 Travel Guidance in TripIt

How will I present my negative test result(s) at the airport? What other documentation will I need?

While many airlines have adopted vaccine passport apps where you can upload your test results directly, others are yet to go the digital route. 

In my case, I had my negative test results on my phone (both in a PDF doc in my email, as well as in the testing provider’s app). Upon my return journey to the U.S., I presented the digital test results at the EDI airport check-in counter. I was also asked to present my CDC COVID-19 vaccination card at this time. (Note: As a U.S. citizen, I did not have to be vaccinated to return to the U.S. However, at the time of publication, all non-citizens are required to show proof of vaccination for entry to the U.S.)

During my return layover at AMS, I was required to complete a U.S. entry attestation form stating that I had tested negative for COVID-19 (or had recovered/could provide a recovery certificate) and that I was fully vaccinated. The completed document is required for check-in and/or boarding, per U.S. federal law. 

All of my travel documents—attestation form, CDC card, and negative test result—were reviewed by an airline employee prior to boarding. 

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 when I’m abroad? 

Let’s face it: this is a very real risk. 

One that you should plan ahead for, because if you test positive while abroad, you will have to quarantine—at your destination—until you recover. 

Some destinations have specific requirements, such as buying mandatory COVID-19 health insurance prior to your trip and/or quarantining in government-mandated facilities. Others have less robust infrastructure, but will still require you to quarantine at a hotel or vacation rental—likely at your own expense. 

Some travel insurance policies can help offset the costs of extending your trip due to a positive test result. There are also services available to fly you home—privately—should you test positive and require medical evacuation. 

Regardless of which level of preparedness you choose, remember to always take the necessary safety precautions to prevent contracting (and/or spreading) COVID-19 while you’re traveling, including following all local guidelines and mandates. 

As a reminder, you can find out about your destination’s vaccination and testing requirements as well as information about scheduling COVID-19 tests through your airline right in TripIt’s COVID-19 guidance feature. These details are available to all TripIt users. 

And if you’re a TripIt Pro user, you can also search the feature to find this information for destinations you’re planning to visit without needing them to be part of a TripIt itinerary right in the Pro tab of the app.

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About the Author

Amanda Wowk

Amanda Wowk is a freelance writer, founder of Amanda Wowk Creative — a content writing services company — and avid traveler. Her experience spans the travel industry, supporting clients in travel tech, luxury travel, and consumer brands. When she's not helping clients tell their stories, Amanda writes about her own experiences to inspire others to travel as far, wide, and frequently as possible.

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• In spring 2024, the program has expanded to eight US international airports.

Detecting on the front lines

U.S. airports serve more than 1 billion travelers each year. Public health professionals at these locations are on the front lines to detect new lineages of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, that enter the United States through arriving travelers. Travelers are an especially important group to consider when tracking new and emerging infectious diseases because they are mobile, have potential to be exposed during travel, and can spread diseases from one place to another in a short amount of time.

To detect imported emerging infectious diseases, health officials have traditionally looked at travelers who report to health clinics after symptom onset. It is uniquely challenging to detect SARS-CoV-2 because people infected with the virus can often spread it before they have symptoms. Sometimes people get infected and never develop symptoms at all, but they can also spread the virus to others.

By the time variants are detected in collected samples from people seeking testing, there is often widespread community transmission.

An innovative new program, CDC's Traveler-based SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Program, leverages multiple strategies, including pooled sample collection from arriving passengers, to detect new and rare SARS-CoV-2 lineages early.

Establishing partnerships

The idea for the program evolved in March 2021. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to escalate and the Delta variant was emerging in India, Cindy R. Friedman, MD, Chief of the Travelers' Health Branch in DGMQ, considered how to detect any new SARS-CoV-2 lineages global air travelers might be transporting into the United States.

At around the same time, two companies, XpresCheck and Concentric by Ginkgo were hoping to make a public health contribution to address the global pandemic. So, Friedman reached out and suggested a collaboration. The three entities would create a voluntary SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance program, led and funded by CDC, for international travelers arriving in the United States.

"One role of the AMD Program is supporting innovation and the adoption of novel technologies," says Gregory Armstrong, MD, Director of the AMD Program. "So, when the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ) approached us last year with this idea, we were intrigued, and agreed to fund the pilot."

Launching a pilot program

The partners launched an eight-week pilot program in September 2021 that included seven flights from India, arriving at three U.S. airports: John F. Kennedy International in New York, Newark Liberty International in New Jersey, and San Francisco International in California.

"We wanted to achieve several things: to get the platform set up at three airports, gauge the level of participation, and determine if we could detect variants using pooled sampling," says Friedman. "We achieved our goals and showed proof of concept."

The public-private initiative, led by CDC's Travelers' Health Branch in partnership with XpresCheck (an airport-based company that offers COVID-19 testing) and Concentric by Ginkgo (a network of over 60 laboratories with genetic sequencing capability), was supported by CDC's AMD Program when the pilot program launched in September 2021.

In late November 2021, as the pilot was reaching week eight, news emerged of the Omicron variant spreading in Southern Africa. In response, the program rapidly scaled-up to add Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and to include travelers on flights from Africa, Europe, and South America. During the first weeks after the expansion, the program was the first to report the first BA.2 variant in the United States (seven days before it was reported elsewhere) and the first BA.3 variant (43 days earlier) in North America. With the expansion of the program, samples have been collected from travelers arriving from more than 15 countries on five continents.

Select positive samples are sent to CDC for viral characterization. This critical step provides vital information about new variants that can help health officials adjust their public health prevention strategies. The program has been a successful addition to CDC's public health tool kit.

Providing early detection

Genomics is a key tool to advance public health for CDC. In 2021, Congress included $1.75 billion for genomics through the American Rescue Plan, with two very broad priorities:

• Accelerate sequencing of SARS-CoV-2
• Expand the use of genomics within the U.S. public health system

"Pathogen genomic sequencing is widely applicable in public health, as the current pandemic demonstrates," says Armstrong, emphasizing that the earlier a new SAR-COV-2 variant is detected and can be characterized, the quicker scientists can take appropriate public health action.

"This Traveler-based SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Program is a model of pathogen detection that can be used as an early warning system for pandemics and other outbreaks affecting international travelers," says Friedman.

AMD integrates next-generation genomic sequencing technologies with bioinformatics and epidemiology expertise to help us find, track, and stop pathogens.

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Four airlines linked to Jackson airport ranked in Top 10 best airlines. See which ones

Four airlines that fly directly in and out of Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport ranked in the Top 10 airlines of overall service quality and functional performance in a WalletHub report.

WalletHub ranked in its Best Airlines list of 2024 the nine largest U.S. carriers, plus one regional airline across 13 metrics. WalletHub ranked 10 airlines in the following five categories: Best Airline Overall; Most Affordable Airline; Most Reliable Airline; Most Comfortable Airline; Safest Airline.

Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are four air services that fly directly in and out of Jackson-Evers, according to Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport webpage.

Based on the WalletHub 2024 report, Delta came out on top in two categories and was fourth overall, behind Alaska Airlines, SkyWest Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

United Airlines ranked fifth overall, American Airlines ranked eighth overall and Southwest Airlines ranked 10th overall. These three airlines did not place first in any of the five categories.

Delta Airlines named most reliable airline

Delta ranked first in reliability. For that ranking, WalletHub analyzed which airline had the lowest rate of cancelations, delays, mishandled luggage and denied boarding. Reliability scores are meant to be high in value.

Delta Airlines – 32.40

SkyWest Airlines – 28.87

Alaska Airlines – 28.38

United Airlines – 26.98

Southwest Airlines – 24.68

Spirit Airlines – 23.82

JetBlue Airways – 20.56

Hawaiian Airlines – 19.63

American Airlines – 17.92

Frontier Airlines – 5.95

Southwest ending some services: Southwest cut some Jackson flights, but was passenger traffic the reason?

Delta Airlines tops list as most comfortable airline

Delta along with JetBlue Airways leads the way in having the most comfortable airline. For this ranking, WalletHub examined in-flight experience, offering free amenities such as Wi-Fi, extra legroom and complimentary snacks and beverages. Comfort scores are meant to be high in value.

Delta Airlines – 5.00

JetBlue Airways – 5.00

Alaska Airlines – 4.63

American Airlines – 4.63

Southwest Airlines – 4.63

United Airlines – 4.50

Hawaiian Airlines – 4.00

Spirit Airlines – 0.50

According to WalletHub, the regional carrier SkyWest is not represented in this chart because "it serves other major airlines, which may dictate what amenities are provided."

Renovations to airport: JMAA to use an $8 million grant on infrastructure improvements. See the projects

Best Airlines in 2024

The nine largest U.S. airlines and one regional carrier were compared across 13 metrics, including cancellation and delay rates, baggage mishaps and in-flight comfort for the overall top airlines list, according to WalletHub. The overall score maximum value is 100.

Alaska Airlines – 68.07

SkyWest Airlines – 65.96

Spirit Airlines – 65.69

Delta Airlines – 61.56

United Airlines – 51.96

JetBlue Airways – 51.60

Hawaiian Airlines – 48.30

American Airlines – 46.52

Frontier Airlines – 43.57

Southwest Airlines – 36.03

Funding for airport: Aging Jackson airport receives an $8 million federal grant to upgrade equipment

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Best airlines 2024 Jackson MS JMAA WalletHub

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• Major U.S. Airlines including American, United, Delta, and JetBlue File Suit Over New Fee Disclosure Regulations

“Checking bags? Now let’s see, checking a yellow bag costs $31 but a small red bag will run $48. Oh, and have a pleasant flight!”

Major airlines in the United States are suing the Department of Transportation over a new rule that requires the upfront disclosure of ancillary fees.

The new rules requiring disclosure are the latest in a series of clashes between the industry and the Biden administration.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group representing major U.S. carriers, along with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines filed suit against the agency late Friday, according to a copy of the lawsuit viewed by Frequent Business Traveler and The Travelist.

In April, the DOT issued final rules that require air carriers and ticket agents to disclose a variety of service fees when presenting the airfare. The agency said that this additional information would help travelers avoid unneeded or unexpected fees.

The rule is part o the Biden administration’s move to eliminate hidden so-called “junk” fees that can  nonetheless have a significant impact on the final cost of travel and other purchases including hotel stays.  The DOT said that the new rule will result in many air travelers having to pay less for travel.

Airlines for America said in a statement that the rule would confuse travelers and that its “attempt to regulate private business operations in a thriving marketplace is beyond its authority.”

The airlines’ previously unreported lawsuit calls the rule “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and otherwise contrary to law.”

Meanwhile, the agency said on Monday that it “will vigorously defend our rule protecting people from hidden junk fees and ensuring travelers can see the full price of a flight before they purchase a ticket.”

Southwest Airliens, which has expressed support for the new regulations, did not join in the suit.

The new regulations, the DOT said, will end “bait-and-switch tactics some airlines use to disguise the true cost of discounted flights.” The rules prohibits airlines from advertising promotional discounts based on a “low base fare that does not include all mandatory carrier-imposed fees.”

The regulations specifically mandate that all fees for baggage or flight changes “must be individually disclosed the first time that fare and schedule information is provided on the airline’s online platform, and cannot be displayed through a hyperlink.”

(Photo: Accura Media Group)

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Good afternoon. This is Jonathan Spira, director of research at the Center for Long Covid Research, reporting. Here now the news of the pandemic from across the globe on its 1,457th day. THE LEDE Public Service Announcement: Tomorrow is the Last Day to Order Free At-Home Covid Test Kits in the U.S. The federal government’s offer for free at-home Covid test kits will soon be discontinued. The on-again/off-again offer was most recently made …

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US airlines are suing the Biden administration over a new rule to make certain fees easier to spot

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. airlines are suing to block the Biden administration from requiring greater transparency over fees that the carriers charge their passengers, saying that a new rule would confuse consumers by giving them too much information during the ticket-buying process.

The U.S. Transportation Department said Monday it will vigorously defend the rule against what it called “hidden junk fees.”

American, Delta, United and three other carriers, along with their industry trade group, sued the Transportation Department in a federal appeals court on Friday, asking the court to overturn the rule.

The trade group, Airlines for America, said the Transportation Department is going beyond its authority by attempting “to regulate private business operations in a thriving marketplace.” The airlines said the administration hasn’t shown that consumers can’t get information about fees already.

“Airlines go to great lengths to make their customers knowledgeable about these fees,” Airlines for America said Monday. “The ancillary fee rule by the Department of Transportation will greatly confuse consumers who will be inundated with information that will only serve to complicate the buying process.”

The Transportation Department announced the new rule on April 24. It would require airlines and travel agents to disclose upfront any charges for baggage and canceling or changing a reservation. Airlines must show the fees on the first website page where they quote a price for a flight.

The agency estimated that the rule will save consumers more than $500 million a year.

“We will vigorously defend our rule protecting people from hidden junk fees and ensuring travelers can see the full price of a flight before they purchase a ticket. Many air travelers will be disappointed to learn that the airline lobby is suing to stop these common-sense protections,” the department said Monday.

Among the nation’s six biggest airlines, only Southwest did not join the legal challenge, which was filed in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Southwest said the rule will have little to no effect on it because the Dallas-based carrier lets passengers check two bags for free and has never charged extra fees for changing or canceling reservations.

“Overall, we support every airline’s right to price its products but believe fees should be clearly and consistently disclosed, so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions,” Southwest said.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Budget carrier Play Airlines to slow US expansion as new CEO focuses profits

It would be incorrect to describe Iceland's Play Airlines as a startup anymore. Launched in 2021 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the airline is on the cusp of its third summer under the leadership of a new CEO.

Einar Örn Ólafsson, who ascended to the top spot in March after serving as the chairman of Play's board of directors, has sent a clear message to investors in his first few weeks: He will bring the airline into the black for the first time ever — as long as there is no volcanic eruption or surge in global oil prices to contend with.

Oh, and Ólafsson also happens to be Play's largest shareholder.

Map watching: The award for 'sexiest new route' of the year goes to ...

"The past few weeks have been more about getting to know the details of the business ... getting into the nitty gritty, getting my hands dirty," he said during an interview on Monday.

Ólafsson plans no major changes to Play's core strategy of offering cheap seats — everything else costs extra — between North America and Europe via Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport (KEF).

"We're not going to take a U-turn," he said, adding that where he sees opportunities for changes are only "small things."

While Ólafsson was mum on what those small things could be, reliable operations and profitability are top of his list. Play, which has not posted an annual profit since its launch, aims to break even this year and post a profit next year, according to an April investor presentation.

Play vs. Icelandair: Comparing Iceland's newest and oldest airlines

That means growth, at least to North America, is off the table in 2024. Instead, Play wants its North American network to mature — in other words, turn regular profits — before it adds more flights. North American destinations the airline serves include Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) , Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) near Toronto , New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) and Dulles International Airtport (IAD) near Washington, D.C.; the carrier also flies to another 24 destinations in Europe, according to Cirium Diio schedules.

From June through August, the peak summer months, Play will only fly around 3% more seats systemwide than in 2023, the Cirium Diio data shows. That compares to a 67% annual jump during the same period last year.

Icelandair, Play's main competitor, plans to fly more than 5% additional seats than last year during the same period, according to Cirium Diio. It will add Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Pittsburgh to its map this summer.

Play's US plans

"There are a few cities still on the Eastern Seaboard, or in eastern Canada, that we would like to fly to," Ólafsson said. Play will likely add three new destinations in this area between 2025 and 2027, he added.

While Ólafsson offered few details on what Eastern Seaboard or Canadian destinations Play is eyeing, he did say that future expansion in the New York area would likely be to an airport other than SWF. That could mean New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are on Play's shortlist.

SWF is located nearly 70 miles north of midtown Manhattan, and the trip by bus or car takes well over an hour without traffic.

Other potential destinations within the range of Play's Airbus A320neo family of planes include Hartford, Connecticut, and Philadelphia in the U.S., and Halifax and Montreal in Canada.

Play plans to double in size, to 20 planes from 10 this summer, in five years, or by 2029. After that, Ólafsson said the airline will look at increasing the number of flights to existing destinations over new dots on its map.

Speaking of planes, all of Play's A320neos and A321neos have CFM International engines and are not affected by the issues that are grounding hundreds of planes with Pratt & Whitney engines, Ólafsson said.

The outlook for summer transatlantic travel demand looks "stable," Ólafsson said. Play sees weaker bookings in the U.S. than last year, but that is balanced by stronger bookings in Europe.

"Maybe there's a sense that Europe is a small continent and it's all close," Ólafsson said of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza when asked why he thought demand was softer in North America. He added that high interest rates could also be affecting travelers.

More: These are the best times to visit Iceland

Preparing for winter

While eyeing future expansion is a fun exercise, the focus of Ólafsson's work today is much more imminent: winter. That's when travel demand across the North Atlantic and to cold, northern climates like Iceland wanes and airlines must shrink to match the market.

"The low of winter is like 60% [the demand] of the summer," Ólafsson said. "We have to scale up and down quite a bit by the season."

For North America, that could mean Play cancels flights on days when the least number of people are traveling — Tuesdays and Wednesdays, for example — or suspends certain destinations entirely in January and February to match its schedule to travel demand.

The airline also plans to add flights to markets that are countercyclical, or where demand peaks in the winter. Play will add Madeira Airport (FNC) in sunny Portugal and Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) in Marrakech, Morocco, to its map in addition to increasing flights to Spain this coming winter.

What Play does this winter will be a test of the budget airline's mettle. The low season has often been the downfall of startups as they struggle to raise the cash needed to cover expenses during the slow travel months.

But the risk of winter does not worry Ólafsson today, at least, not that he's willing to say.

"I'm pretty confident we'll be around our guidance for this year," he said. "Barring any oil craziness, I'm highly confident that we'll have significant improvement between '24 and '25."

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Akasa Air’s Plan to Expand Beyond India

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

May 12th, 2024 at 11:00 PM EDT

Central to Akasa's expansion strategy is its substantial order of 226 planes with Boeing. The airline seems confident about the planemaker's capabilities. Will Boeing 'deliver?'

Peden Doma Bhutia

India’s newest airline, Akasa Air, made its international debut in Doha, Qatar in March — just 19 months after its launch.

Akasa has also been granted traffic rights for three other international destinations: Kuwait, Jeddah and Riyadh. And co-founder and chief commercial officer Praveen Iyer told Skift the airline would be rapidly expanding its global footprint.

Since its launch in August 2022, Akasa Air has flown over 8 million passengers connecting 22 cities. The airline had a domestic market share of 4.1% in 2023.

In an interview with Skift, Iyer shared insights into the airline’s future plans.

Why Begin in Doha?

The decision to debut internationally in Doha, Qatar, was not arbitrary, Iyer said. “We had been granted flying rights to Qatar, a couple of points in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Each of these countries are constrained for capacity, and were therefore interesting markets.”

With a focus on capacity-constrained markets and robust traffic flows between India and the Gulf, Doha emerged as a prime choice for Akasa’s international expansion.

“We just saw value in utilizing our assets with Qatar and that’s what prompted us to start operations in this route,” said Iyer.

Iyer further said that the traffic flows between India and the Middle East will only grow with each passing year: “No wonder airlines have been requesting for bilaterals to be expanded,” he said.

Future Routes and Factors Influencing Choices

When it comes to selecting future routes, Akasa will prioritize factors such as aircraft capabilities, capacity constraints, bilateral availability and network connectivity, according to Iyer.

With a fleet capable of flying within a six-hour radius of India, Akasa eyes potential routes across the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Far East, points of East Africa. Moreover, the airline strategically deploys its assets from key metropolitan cities in India, like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, to cater to diverse market demands.

“We have 26 departures out of Mumbai, close to 13 departures out of Delhi and around 25 departures from Bengaluru. We deploy our assets based on the connectivity available from each of these points,” he said.

After Doha, Akasa now looks to introduce flights to Jeddah and Riyadh as well as Kuwait. “It’s a matter of time before we make these announcements, as well,” Iyer said.

Akasa’s Orders vs Production and Safety Issues at Boeing

Despite industry-wide production challenges, Akasa remains optimistic about its fleet expansion and international operations.

Iyer emphasized a planned delivery schedule aligned with the airline’s growth. While acknowledging occasional deviations from the plan, he said, “I’m a big fan of the T 20 format in cricket, but running an airline is more like a Test match.”

Akasa has placed an order of 226 planes with Boeing, of which 24 have been delivered. The delivery of the remaining 202 aircraft will go all the way through to 2032. “We have 8 years to take delivery of all the aircraft. By 2027, we would have more than 70, we are on track. Boeing’s ability to deliver versus Akasa’s willingness to deploy is very well aligned.”

Addressing safety concerns, Iyer called the Boeing 737 Max one of the most scrutinized aircraft worldwide. “Our safety standards are well above the norms set by (Indian aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation) DGCA,” he said. “We would recommend everybody to fly the Max. It’s all the safest aircraft that you can find.”

Focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities

Akasa’s focus on tier 2 and tier 3 cities reflects shifting market dynamics and the untapped potential in regional connectivity. Iyer highlighted the increased relevance of these cities, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and Akasa’s role in addressing the demand-supply gap in India’s domestic aviation market.

Prior to Covid-19, Iyer noted that there was a strong emphasis on metropolitan routes such as Mumbai-Delhi, Delhi-Bengaluru, and Delhi-Chennai.

“The way in which we have deployed our capacity, tier-2, tier-3 cities dominate it, right from Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Guwahati to Agartala,” he said.

Despite the conventional airline practice of multiple frequencies between major routes, Akasa remains undeterred, recognizing India’s existing capacity constraints.

Iyer noted that in February 2020, the number of departures in India domestic was about 3,200, today it stands at around 3,100. “We may have crossed the number of seats utilized, but we’ve certainly not crossed the capacity,” he said, indicating untapped capacity.

Akasa’s strategic timing in deploying assets during a period of capacity shortage in smaller cities has bolstered its confidence to further expand in these cities.

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Tags: airlines , akasa air , asia monthly , aviation news , Boeing , doha , indian airlines , qatar , saudi arabia

Photo credit: The Akasa 737 Max to Doha. Akasa Air