From Thursday 24 December all customers travelling from London Heathrow to the United States, aged five years and above, will be required to present evidence of a negative PCR or LAMP Covid-19 test, taken up to 72 hours prior to departure.

Virgin Atlantic currently operates US flights from Heathrow to New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston and Atlanta.

The health and safety of our customers and people remains our number one priority and this new testing requirement adds to a range of rigorous, multi-layered health and safety measures to ensure that you and everyone on board flies safe and well.

Travellers should seek to arrange this test prior to arriving at the airport, however if they wish to use the Heathrow Airport testing facility, please allow plenty of additional time to complete this and book in advance via the Collinson website here.

A list of recommended test providers can be found here and while other reputable test providers will be accepted, in order to ensure NHS resources are not diverted, please note that NHS tests are not accepted. 

If travellers opt for a LAMP test at the airport facility and receive a positive result, they'll need to return home or to alternative UK accommodation to self-isolate for 10 days.  The Covid-19 Cover included with the ticket, provided by Allianz Assistance, covers up to £3,000 for accommodation, transport charges, refreshments and other travel expenses. 

Travellers can rebook to travel any time up to 31st December 2022. We won't charge a date change fee, and fare difference won’t apply if the new travel date is before 31 March 2021. If it’s a new travel date from 1 April 2021 onwards, we'll waive any fare difference up to £60 in Economy, £120 in Premium and £350 in Upper Class.

We're really grateful to for your support in ensuring traveller compliance with this mandatory testing requirement, which is so important to ensure smooth and safe journeys between the UK and the USA this holiday season, in advance of a widely-available Covid-19 vaccine.

For full details and FAQs please check here.


Fly safe, fly well