Hawaiian Airlines to offer drive-through pre-travel COVID-19 tests

Hawaiian Airlines announced Friday it will offer drive-through COVID-19 tests in select U.S. mainland gateways that will allow guests to bypass the state of Hawaii quarantine and begin enjoying the islands from the moment they arrive.

The announcement comes a day after United Airlines said its will begin its own testing program Oct. 15 for flights out of San Francisco to Hawaii.

Hawaiian’s partnership with Worksite Labs will provide access to drive-through PCR testing ($90 for results within 36 hours, or $150 for day-of-travel express service). The carrier expects to begin offering “around Oct. 15” the Droplet Digital PCR shallow nasal swab tests, which meet Hawaii guidelines.

Effective Oct. 15, travelers who test negative within 72 hours of departure will be exempt from Hawaii’s 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Hawaiian’s initial labs will be operational near Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) international airports, with more testing locations coming soon at its other U.S. mainland gateways.

Hawaiian Airlines said it is developing additional testing partnerships to support travelers’ needs, with more to be announced soon.