To give ultimate peace of mind when planning future travel, British Airways has today announced that its customers can order discounted global antigen tests from Government-approved COVID-19 testing provider, Qured, at an exclusive price of £33.

The rapid test kits are ultra-convenient and can be ordered to any UK address. Designed to be portable, customers can take the kits with them abroad, in preparation for their return journey to the UK.

The simple test is remotely administered by a professional health advisor over a scheduled video call. The health advisor will guide the customer through taking a nose and throat swab and processing the sample. Verified results are available after 20 minutes, and the customer can download a ‘fit to fly’ certificate if the test is negative.

British Airways’ CEO Sean Doyle, said: “As we look forward and prepare for a safe return to travel, we remain focused on finding and offering the most convenient and affordable testing options for our customers.

“Our teams were pleased to discover Qured, a unique new option which removes uncertainty and unnecessary expense for customers who may be concerned about sourcing a pre-departure test while away from home.”

Qured’s CEO Alex Templeton, said: “Our accessible rapid testing service takes the hassle out of finding a test abroad. As a trusted healthcare provider we look forward to delivering an exceptional patient experience to British Airways’ customers and to working with them on a safe return to travel.”

To find out more information on Qured, and all the other testing options and discounts available, customers should visit British Airways’ testing page on ba.com.

To offer customers further reassurance before travel, the airline recently began trialling a new travel health app, VeriFLY. The digital health travel passport, which can be downloaded to a mobile device, is designed to check customers meet the entry requirements of their destination by providing digital health document verification and confirming eligibility, before they depart for the airport.

Test results from Qured and other test providers can be safely and securely uploaded to the app.  British Airways is in talks with all test providers to seek opportunities to have test results automatically sent to the VeriFLY app, to make the process even easier.

The airline continues to work on the development of the IATA Travel Pass and is exploring all digital travel verification solutions to support its customers when travel re-starts.

The VeriFLY app is currently available to customers who are eligible to travel between London and the US and Canada. It is also available on all inbound routes to the UK with British Airways.

About Qured

Qured is an established healthcare provider and a market leader in Covid-19 testing. Qured has developed a unique solution for highly scalable lateral flow screening, allowing for safe and convenient testing for customers. Qured’s remote care platform provides Covid-19 testing overseen by a professional health advisor, with verified results available after 20 minutes.

About rapid testing

Rapid Covid-19 tests use a diagnostic lateral flow device (LFD) to confirm the presence or absence of the virus.  Qured’s rapid tests use a nose and/or throat swab to transfer the sample onto a lateral flow cassette. The LFDs Qured uses have all been independently validated by Public Health England.

What is the Qured rapid testing process?

• Once a test is purchased, the customer will receive the test kit via next day delivery.
• Customers will be sent a unique link to sign up and book their virtual clinic slot.
• Prior to the virtual appointment the patient will receive a link to access Qured’s secure video consultation platform. They will then be asked to enter their name.
• The customer will enter the virtual waiting room and an expert health advisor will start the call at their chosen time.
• The customer is then guided through the test procedure and the whole process takes around 10 minutes.
• Result is available 20 minutes after the customer has completed the test. They will then email a photo of their ID and the LFD to Qured for verification.
• The customer is notified via text and email that their test result is available, and if negative, they can download a ‘fit to fly’ certificate to be presented at the airport or uploaded to the VeriFly app.

About other testing options and discounts

For travellers in need of a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test in the UK, providers Qured, CityDoc, Medicspot, Halo and Nomad also offer ‘fit to fly’ options at a discounted price for British Airways customers.

For returning travellers eligible to join the UK Government’s ‘Test to Release’ scheme and pay for a COVID-19 test to reduce their time in self-isolation, providers Qured, CityDoc, Medicspot, Chronomics and Collinson all offer Government-approved COVID-19 PCR testing options in the UK, also at a discounted price for British Airways customers.

There are also a variety of airport testing options available. Collinson, in partnership with Heathrow Airport and London City Airport, offers discounted airport tests to customers arriving and departing from the UK within British Airways terminals.

ExpressTest also has convenient testing centres at Heathrow and Gatwick, while Sofitel London Heathrow (connected directly to Terminal 5, British Airways’ home hub) offers a ‘Test and Rest’ package. This includes an overnight stay and a PCR test with results delivered overnight. Customers should email restandtest@sofitel.com to book and receive a free room upgrade, subject to availability.

About VeriFLY

BA has partnered with the VeriFLY app to help customers check they meet the entry requirements of their destination by providing digital health document verification and confirming eligibility, before they depart for the airport.

VeriFLY is developed and managed by the biometric authentication and identity assurance solutions provider, Daon. VeriFLY offers travelers a secure and simple way to confirm their destination’s COVID-19 requirements.

After creating a secure profile on the VeriFLY app, Daon verifies that the customer’s data matches a country’s requirements and displays a simple pass or fail message. This simple message streamlines the check-in and documentation verification process at the airport before departure. The app also provides travelers with reminders when their travel window is coming to a close or once their credential has expired.