This sounds like a game changer for Canadian travellers.
Air Canada today announced the introduction of new testing products, including portable self-administered COVID-19 molecular and antigen test kits, through a partnership with Switch Health, a Canadian-based healthcare company.
Using the Switch Health COVID-19 RT-LAMP Kit, customers can test themselves while travelling abroad prior to their flight to Canada to meet Government of Canada testing entry requirements without the need to visit a foreign COVID-19 testing clinic. These tests are conducted under the remote supervision of a Telehealth professional from Switch Health and include an electronic report suitable for travel.
An Air Canada spokesperson told me today that customers on other airlines should be able to use the kits as they meet requirements for entry into Canada. I wonder when other Canadian airlines will match this program so they can sell their own kits.
I’ve had two trips to the U.S. in the past month or so, and each time I had to hunt down a clinic where I could get a molecular/PCR test. One test in Wisconsin cost $100 USD, while a test in Virginia set me back $175 USD. I don’t see what the price is for non-Aeroplan members, but I assume non-Aeroplan members can buy the kits. If you ARE an Aeroplan member, the antigen test price of $80 for two tests is about the same as I pay at a clinic near Toronto for my trips into the US. But it’s much easier to do the test at home, of course. For the molecular/PCR test, Air Canada lists the price as $149 (plus tax) for one kit, which is more than I paid in Milwaukee but a good deal less than what I spent in Virginia. Add in the convenience factor and this is a no-brainer.
“Air Canada is a leader in adopting and implementing science-based safety measures to simplify our customers’ journey,” said Mark Nasr, Senior Vice President, Products Marketing & eCommerce at Air Canada. “Together with Switch Health, we are pleased to offer our customers
the most comprehensive range of travel testing options that will make travelling abroad easier and more predictable. Switch Health also seamlessly integrates into Air Canada’s digital tool allowing customers to securely submit their COVID-19 test results and records of vaccination,
further simplifying the travel experience.”
“At Switch Health, we pride ourselves on keeping Canadians safe and empowering them to make decisions concerning their health at their convenience through cutting edge, decentralized diagnostics and patient-focused digital solutions,” said Dilian Stoyanov, Chief Executive Officer at Switch Health. “Offering these COVID-19 tests will help get Canadians back to their favourite activities – like global air travel with Air Canada – safely, reliably and at their convenience.”
Customers flying to Canada are currently required by the Government of Canada to present a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their flight. Switch Health’s new portable self-administered test kit, officially called the Switch Health RT-LAMP Test Kit, can be taken by
customers on their trips and used to satisfy this requirement without the need to visit a foreign testing facility. Air Canada is Switch Health’s launch partner for these new tests, with limited quantities initially available for Aeroplan Members.
The RT-LAMP test is one of several ways Air Canada is offering practical solutions to ease customer experience and reduce the inconvenience related to the current pre-departure testing requirements. Other COVID-19 testing options include convenient travel testing clinics, a self-administered RT-PCR collection kit and a portable self-administered antigen kit containing two tests which is accepted by many countries such as the United States.
It’s possible that a country might not accept the self-administered test. Anguilla put out a press release today, in fact, that outlines testing needs for visitors and specifically states that tests must be taken at an accredited lab. Home tests like the Air Canada/Switch Health variety are not accepted.
These solutions are designed to ease the travel experience until the mandatory pre-departure test requirement evolves for fully vaccinated travellers. The Government’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel recommends the removal of pre-departure testing for fully
vaccinated travellers, acknowledging that testing at both departure and arrival is excessive.
Preferred pricing for Aeroplan Members
Aeroplan Members have exclusive access to preferred pricing on all Switch Health testing products. Aeroplan preferred pricing for the portable antigen test kit start at $79 plus applicable taxes (one kit includes two tests), and the portable RT-LAMP test kit start at $149 plus applicable
taxes. Members also earn 1,000 Aeroplan points on RT-PCR tests and 500 Aeroplan points on RT-LAMP test kits and antigen tests. Members can also redeem their Aeroplan points through the Aeroplan eStore to cover the cost of the test kits. Not an Aeroplan Member? Anyone can join for
free.
Customers can visit aircanada.com/switchhealth for all the details or order a test kit at switchhealth.ca/aeroplan or redeem at aircanada.com/estore.
Travelling internationally? Visit our Travel Ready Hub to easily and conveniently obtain such information as necessary travel documentation, COVID-19 test requirements and country travelrestrictions for any global destination.
Click HERE for a video on how it works.
