Today, Alaska Airlines introduced the Hawaii Pre-Clear program for travel to Hawaii. Hawaii has reopened to visitors and the State will waive the mandatory 14-quarantine requirement for visitors complying with the current Hawaii Health Department testing protocol. As of December 2, 2020, the island of Kauai has temporarily opted out of the testing program so the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement is still in effect. Vacation rentals in Kauai are not permitted as a quarantine location.
Testing Prior To Departure To Hawaii
All travelers age 5 and older are required to take a COVID-19 test from a trusted testing partner within 72 hours of your Hawaii-bound flight. Alaska like other airlines has arranged with independent health providers for onsite testing facilities at selected airport locations. You will need a negative Covid-19 test result that is no older than 72 hours prior to departure. Your airline should have links to the currently approved testing protocol. Here are the protocol from Alaska Airlines:
Here’s what you need to do prior to the departure of your Hawaii-bound flight:
- Create a Safe Travels profileThis indicates a link to an external site that may not follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines. By selecting a partner link you agree to share your data with these sites.
- Schedule an appointment with a trusted testing partner.
- Upload test results in PDF form to your Safe Travels profileThis indicates a link to an external site that may not follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines. By selecting a partner link you agree to share your data with these sites.
- Take the travel health questionnaireThis indicates a link to an external site that may not follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines. By selecting a partner link you agree to share your data with these sites. (available 24 hours before your flight)
Alaska Airlines “Pre-Clear Program”
Alaska Airlines has introduced a fast-track program to speed your arrival when landing in Hawaii. Here are the details from today’s press release:
Alaska Airlines guests traveling to Hawaii can now pre-clear on the West Coast, avoiding lines and bypassing the airport screening process after they arrive in Hawaii with an approved negative COVID-19 test. Alaska’s Pre-Clear program, launched this week in coordination with the State of Hawaii, is the first of its kind to allow guests to obtain an exemption from the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine before departure.
In mid-October, Hawaii began a pre-travel testing program that allows anyone entering the state who tests negative for COVID-19 in advance to proceed without the current two-week mandatory quarantine. To help with the long wait times that travelers arriving in the Islands have experienced as part of this program, Alaska has received approval to pre-clear guests who complete the state’s requirements prior to check-in, so that no additional screening is needed after arrival at Hawaii’s airports.
“As guests start planning their 2021 travel to Hawaii, we’re focused on making the journey as safe, easy and hassle-free as possible,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines’ president, who flew to Honolulu on the first day of the pre-travel testing program to experience the arrival process first-hand. “We appreciate Hawaii’s partnership to help ensure our guests are well-informed and visit these beautiful islands responsibly, wearing a mask and following the state’s safety guidelines.”
Alaska began piloting the Hawaii Pre-Clear program over the past week with its flights from the West Coast to Maui. Starting the week of Dec. 14, the program will be rolled out on all flights to Oahu and Kona on Hawaii Island. Due to the temporary pause in Kauai’s participation in the state’s pre-travel testing program, Alaska’s flights to Kauai have been suspended and will not be included in the Hawaii Pre-Clear program at this time.
“On behalf of the State of Hawaii, we appreciate Alaska’s commitment in helping to keep our community safe,” said Hawaii Governor David Ige. “Alaska has been a true partner from the very start of the pre-travel testing program by communicating with their guests about the state’s requirements so that they are well-prepared for their visit. Alaska’s Pre-Clear program adds another layer of safety by helping to ensure that the majority, if not all, of Alaska’s guests, arrive in Hawaii with proof of their negative COVID-19 test results.”
Pre-Clear Program Requirements
To be eligible for the Hawaii Pre-Clear program, Alaska will send guests an email prior to departure asking them to complete the following steps:
- Every adult traveler must have a Safe Travels profile.
- All flight details and lodging information have been added.
- Negative test results from a trusted testing partner have been uploaded as a PDF.
- A mandatory travel health questionnaire has been completed.
Once the above requirements are met, the guest will be pre-cleared and will receive a pre-clear wristband at check-in or at the departure gate. For more details on the Hawaii Pre-Clear program, as well as pre-travel testing options arranged exclusively for Alaska guests, visit alaskaair.com/hawaii-bound.
Final Thoughts
Travel to Hawaii has been an on-again, off-again proposition through 2020. Hawaii did officially reopen with testing requirements but everything about the State of Hawaii has been subject to constant change. The Hawaii Health Department has begun the Pre-Clear Program to fast track visitors arriving at Hawaii airports. As of this writing, travel to Kauai is still restricted. The latest visitor information to Hawaii can be found here.
We are going to Hawaii on January 3rd so I will take part in this program to see how well it functions. We have appointments with Carbon Health for testing at Portland International Airport prior to departure. The testing will cost $135.00 per person at Carbon Health. I will update this story as I go through the pre-check process.
Here is a link to my article Covid-19 Vaccination Recipients Will Receive Vaccine Card. You can read that post here.
