Virgin Atlantic claims ‘UK first’ with pre-flight tests at Heathrow
Virgin Atlantic is ramping up the pressure on UK and US governments with the trial of Covid-19 pre-flight testing at Heathrow for cabin crew and pilots – claiming to be the first UK airline to do so.
Introduced on September 30 on flights to Shanghai and Hong Kong, the airline plans to extend the trial to Barbados and select services later this month, before rolling it out across its fleet to test every operating crew at least once a month.
Swabs will be taken on site, with results processed and delivered via an app within 30 minutes, without the requirement of a lab.
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer of Virgin Atlantic, said it would continue to be in discussions with multiple providers and testing technologies, but would not compete with the NHS for vital resources.
"This trial is a first step in our phased plan to introduce regular testing for all of our teams in the air and on the ground, in order to instil confidence in flying. However, we continue to call for the swift introduction of a wider coordinated passenger testing regime. We need urgent action from UK and US governments to introduce pre-departure testing, to remove the need for quarantine and to minimise travel restrictions, while protecting public health and half a million UK jobs associated with the sector.’¯
"As long as the UK’s 14-day quarantine is in place, demand for travel will not return and the UK’s economic recovery, which relies on free flowing trade and tourism, cannot take off."
The airline has also introduced complimentary Covid-19 global insurance cover with Allianz Assistance for all bookings. The cover applies to all existing and new bookings travelling from August 24 2020 up until March 31 2021. The policy offers comprehensive cover in the event that a Virgin Atlantic customer or travel companion becomes ill with COVID-19 while on a trip.
By Louise Longman, Contributing Editor (UK)
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt