Passengers flying on United Airlines can now access even more COVID-19 testing locations, thanks to its partnership with Walmart and Albertson Companies.
United passengers can now access more than 3,000 new Walmart and Albertson Companies locations across the U.S., through the airline’s website and mobile app in the Travel Ready Center.
Passengers can now book COVID-19 testing appointments at more than 3,800 total testing providers powered by Accenture technology and the CLX Health’s TrustAssure network and have their results delivered within 4 to 48 hours of their test and directly submitted to United’s website and mobile app to be reviewed for their flight.
United states that it remains the only airline that gives its passengers destination-specific travel requirements and the ability to upload country-specific required forms, testing results and vaccination records, all within the United App and on United.com.
Linda Jojo, Executive Vice President for technology and Chief Digital Officer, United, said:
United continues to deliver solutions that make it simple for customers to understand and meet all testing and vaccination requirements directly through our award-winning digital channels. As more Americans resume international travel, this enhancement to our mobile app and website will give our customers confidence and peace-of mind knowing they have access to all of the information and services they need right in the palm of their hand or on their laptop.
Through United’s Travel Ready Center, passengers can view a list of localized, eligible COVID testing locations, now including select Albertsons Companies and Walmart locations, as well as additional popular drug store, pharmacy chains, and local healthcare providers across the United States. Passengers can then select their preferred location and schedule an appointment directly through United’s website and mobile app. Once the test is reviewed, they will see a status indicator informing them that they are ‘travel-ready’ and can receive their mobile boarding pass.
The Chicago-based airline states that it plans to continue to expand its offering, including adding international testing sites for customers flying to the US.
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Omer Gajial, SVP of Pharmacy and Health, Albertsons Companies, said:
At Albertsons Companies, we are always seeking convenient solutions for our customers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our partnership with United Airlines, to provide access to pre-travel COVID testing, is just another example of this intent. With our integrated testing solution, our customers can easily schedule their COVID-19 test at one of our convenient store locations, and results are seamlessly and confidentially delivered to United Airlines.
Joseph Gonzalez, Chief Strategy Officer for CLX Health, said:
Our TrustAssure™ platform was engineered to deliver a compliant, clinically sound, state of the art solution that leverages interoperability to thousands of COVID testing locations around the world. The domestic expansion of our TrustAssure network of premier national retail partners supporting COVID-19 testing, including Albertsons and Walmart locations in the United States, will provide travelers a multitude of choices virtually anywhere in the country to help them meet their travel requirements.
Emily Weiss, Global Lead of Accenture’s Travel industry group, said:
Together with United, Albertsons and Walmart, we innovated at speed and scale to help implement a solution for United’s customers, creating a system designed to give them greater support and confidence to navigate the new complexities introduced as a result of COVID-19. We are proud to help with this effort and provide a solution to make meeting travel requirements easier for customers as they continue to resume flying domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, United is heavily investing on Carbon-Free aircraft. The airline recently announced that it will buy up to 50 Supersonic aircraft from BOOM Aerospace. The Chicago-based carrier is also investing in airplanes that have lower carbon emissions. It includes the airline’s recent order of 200 Boeing B737MAX and 70 Airbus A321neo aircraft. It is also eyeing flying electric aircraft by 2026.
The airline recently added nearly 150 flights to Warm-Weather cities for Winter season, has added 74 flights targeted at Football fans and three brand-new Transcontinental routes. United is now also offering the option to pre-order snacks and beverages including to Economy class passengers. It is also offering more than 40 weekly flights between United States and London in anticipation of high travel demand as the United Kingdom has scraped the mandatory quarantine for fully vaccinated Americans.
Featured image by Planespotters
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