How can Delta offer flights without Covid to Europe?

Delta is now offers “free quarantine ” flights to Europe, Which one, in a bold move they also bill as “No COVID”. If only it were so easy to guarantee that the coronavirus is badnot be in the plane. The flights use a test protocol to reduce the possibilities than someone with COVID factory but on board.

So far the airline is offering two these routes, onot from Atlanta to Amsterdam and one of Atlanta and Rome. Both Italy and the Netherlands require travelers to be quarantined, but have agreed that people entering countries with these flights can bypass this restriction.

That said, ncurrently, either country allows tourist travel, so these flights are for people with legitimate work, school or health reasons.

The flights will operate at a lower capacity than full, with the center seats locked and the mask put on. Delta describes the pre-flight testing protocol as follows:

To fly on Delta COVID-tested flights between Atlanta and Rome, customers will have to test COVID-19 negatives by:

• A COVID polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed up to 72 hours before departure
• A quick test administered at 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 entering the United States to support CDC contact tracking protocols.

Delta reports that the State of Georgia and the governments of the Netherlands and Rome have agreed on the protocols and that mathematical modeling shows that the risk of contracting COVID on this flight is minuscule.

That said, it is impossible to make sure a flight is truly COVID free. For example, you may be exposed to COVID when moving around the airport, in which case you are likely to test negative on quick tests.

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