American Airlines, British Airways and oneworld have teamed up with researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute (OII), the University of Oxford, in the review and analysis of survey data from the COVID-19 testing trial recently launched by the airlines and alliance.
The project ‘Trust, Testing and Travel, Technology Use, Traveller Knowledge and Compliance with COVID-19 Health Rules’, involves OII researchers analysing aggregated, non-personal survey data from air travellers on their behaviour and sentiment towards the trial testing regime.
The airlines and the alliance have created a taskforce to evaluate the results of the trial. The task force, comprising oneworld member airline representatives and independent medical experts, will work with Oxford Internet Institute, to consider the results and implications of the survey data from participants in the trial.
Professor Phil Howard, Director, Oxford Internet Institute, said: “The University of Oxford is already playing a leading role in the fight against COVID-19 with development of a vaccine. I’m delighted that researchers at the OII will be working to analyse and review survey data from this important trial so that we understand more about the options available for safer air travel.”
In a joint statement, American Airlines, British Airways and oneworld said: “We are pleased to be working with one of the world’s leading academic institutions to review the results of our testing trial passenger survey, which we hope will help provide governments on both sides of the Atlantic with the evidence they need to unlock travel and kick-start the global economy. Moving away from quarantines in favour of comprehensive testing programmes has the potential to markedly boost customer confidence in air travel.”
Since the trial began on 25 November, more than 500 customers have registered for the trial on select flights operated by American Airlines and British Airways, from the United States to London Heathrow (LHR). Many customers have expressed interest in having the testing trials expanded to more routes.
As a result, the trial has been expanded to include British Airways’ flight BA208 departing Miami (MIA) to LHR, and flight BA112 departing New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport to LHR. This increases the total number of daily flights in the trial to five across four gateways, ensuring a comprehensive and wide ranging set of data from different parts of the United States.
About the trial
The trial is being offered on the following flights:
- American Airlines flight AA50 departing Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to London Heathrow (LHR)
- British Airways flight BA114 departing New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) to LHR
- British Airways flight BA268 departing Los Angeles (LAX) to LHR
- British Airways flight BA208 departing Miami (MIA) to LHR, beginning 10 December
- British Airways flight BA112 departing JFK to LHR, beginning 10 December
The optional trial for each individual passenger will comprise:
- An initial at-home PCR test to be taken 72 hours before departure from the US
- A second LAMP test will take place upon arrival at LHR
- A third PCR test to be taken three days after arrival in the UK
The joint trial will offer free tests to passengers who choose to participate in the programme.
The ultimate objective of this, and other trials is to validate that a pre-departure test provides a high level of certainty of a passenger being COVID-19 negative, which are hoped to result in policies that further relax US and UK border restrictions, including the 14-day quarantine and entry into the US.
About British Airways
British Airways is a founding member of the airline alliance oneworld.
It is the UK’s largest international airline. Its principal place of business is London, with a significant presence at Heathrow Terminal 5, which is regularly voted the world’s best airport terminal in international passenger surveys.
British Airways normally operates one of the most extensive international route networks. Over the last few years, the airline has been investing in new aircraft, new cabins, new lounges, new food and new technology.
About oneworld
oneworld brings together 13 world-class airlines – American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, and more than 20 of their affiliates. Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner. Alaska Airlines is a oneworld member-elect.
oneworld member airlines work together to deliver consistently a superior, seamless travel experience, with special privileges and rewards for frequent flyers, including earning and redeeming miles and points across the entire alliance network. Top tier cardholders (Emerald and Sapphire) enjoy access to airport lounges across the globe and are offered extra baggage allowances. The most regular travelers (Emerald) can also use fast track security lanes at select airports.
oneworld holds three times as many “best airline alliance” awards as its competitors combined.
