New pre-departure Covid-19 testing for Virgin Atlantic passengers flying from London to the US will be introduced from Christmas Eve.
Travellers will be required to present evidence of a negative Lamp or PCR test, taken up to 72 hours prior to departure, including on-site at Heathrow.
The US government is reportedly considering requiring all passengers traveling from the UK receive a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of departure as a condition of entry.
British Airways, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic had earlier voluntarily agreed to start screening passengers flying from London to New York JFK this week following a request from New York governor Andrew Cuomo that they only allow passengers who test negative to fly.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “Throughout the crisis, Virgin Atlantic has been championing a robust pre-departure passenger testing regime in order to reopen the skies at scale and safely replace border restrictions.
“In August we were the first UK airline to implement on-site rapid testing for our crew and with our partner Collinson, we already offer pre-departure rapid testing for customers on several routes including Hong Kong and Barbados.
“This is the latest addition to a range of rigorous, multi-layered health and safety measures to ensure that all customers fly safe and well.
“We will work closely with our transatlantic partner Delta Air Lines on an aligned customer offering.
“More information will be provided to customers due to depart from London Heathrow to the US in the coming days, including New York flights.
“We are in close contact with governor Cuomo’s office to communicate these plans.”