How can Delta offer ‘Covid-free’ flights to Europe?

Delta is now offers “quarantine free ” flights to Europe, which, in a bold move, they also bill as “COVID-free.” If only it were so easy to guarantee that the coronavirus won not on the plane. The flights use a test protocol every opportunities that someone with COVID makes it on board.

So far, the airline offers two such routes, one from Atlanta to Amsterdam and one of Atlanta to Rome. Both Italy and the Netherlands require travelers to quarantine, but have agreed that people entering the countries on these flights can circumvent that restriction.

That said, nboth countries currently allow tourist travel, so these flights are for people with legitimate work, school, or health reasons to travel.

The flights will operate at less than full capacity, with the center seats blocked and mask wearing enforced. Delta describes the pre-flight test protocol as follows:

To fly on Delta’s COVID-tested flights between Atlanta and Rome, customers must test negative for COVID-19 through:

• A COVID Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, taken up to 72 hours before departure
• A quick test taken at the Atlanta airport before boarding
• A quick test on arrival in Rome-Fiumicino
• A quick test in Rome-Fiumicino before leaving for the United States

Customers will also be asked to provide information upon entry into the US to support CDC contact tracking protocols.

Delta reports that the state of Georgia and the governments of the Netherlands and Rome have agreed to the protocols, and that mathematical models show that the risk of incurring COVID on such a flight is miniscule.

That said, it is impossible to ensure that a flight is truly COVID-free. For example, you could be exposed to COVID while traveling through the airport, in which case you would most likely test negative on the rapid tests.

This option can still be useful if you have to travel for essential reasons, especially if you are at high risk. Delta has not said what will happen if you book your flight and then test positive at the airport, or if you fly and then test positive on landing.