Air Canada introduces portable COVID test kits, in partnership with Switch Health

Aeroplan has officially launched a new partnership with Switch Health, a Canadian-based healthcare company, to introduce travel testing options, including portable self-administered COVID-19 Molecular and Antigen test kits for customers. Switch Health’s new portable self-administered test kit can be taken by customers on their trips and used to satisfy Canada’s entry requirement without the need to visit a foreign testing facility.

Air Canada is Switch Health’s launch partner for these new tests, and will make limited quantities initially available for Aeroplan Members at preferred pricing.

Air Canada and Switch Heath partnership

Air Canada is offering practical solutions to ease customer experience and reduce the inconvenience related to the current pre-departure testing requirements. Testing Solutions being introduced through the Aeroplan and Switch Heath Partnership;

1. RT-LAMP Test: Portable self-administered COVID-19 Molecular test kit
2. Antigen Test: Portable self-administered test kit
3. RT-PCR Test: Self-administered collection kit, that needs to be mailed back to the lab for processing

For the Portable tests –  travellers can simply pre-order the test kit before leaving Canada, and carry it with them around the world. Prior to the flight to Canada, the test can be self-administered with the oversight of a tele-health professional and without the need to visit a foreign COVID-19 testing clinic. The test results (electronic report suitable for travel) will be received in 45 minutes, meet the Government of Canada test requirements for entry into the country. 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 test Kits are available to purchase, starting today Oct 25th. The RT-LAMP and Rapid Antigen test kits can be purchased from anywhere in Canada, and Switch Health recommends purchasing these kits within one month before the date of travel.

Full details of the partnership is available here

Aeroplan Members – Preferred Pricing on Testing products

Air Canada is Switch Health’s launch partner for the new tests, with limited quantities initially available 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 eStore to cover the cost of the test kits.

Take Away

This is a welcome initiative from Air Canada, and should alleviate stress from travellers to find and use a foreign testing facility. Like with immigration, official COVID guidelines and regulations should always be checked (and double checked) directly with the appropriate ministry, and airline website.

Air Canada also confirmed that these new testing solutions will not be applicable for travellers from India – current guidelines will continue to require testing only from Genestrings facility at DEL airport.