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American Airlines said Tuesday it will offer pre-flight coronavirus tests for travelers flying to states with restrictions, at a cost of $129. The carrier said the tests will be available for passengers five days before their dates of travel. For the tests, travelers take their own nasal swabs and return to them to the airline 48 hours before flight. The tests will be available starting Wednesday. "We've made great strides to help open international travel with our testing partners, and we recognize the need for similar domestic travel solutions," said Alison Taylor, AA chief customer officer. "As travel requirements continue to quickly evolve, we're simplifying the research and COVID-19 testing fulfillment process for an overall more seamless travel experience." American Airlines said the tests will aid travel to destinations with current restrictions, including Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. There are also restrictions in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Puerto Rico. "Our at-home COVID-19 test exemplifies our mission to empower people to take an active role in their health whilst also allowing for a safe return to travel during this challenging time," said Peter Foley, CEO and founder of the testing company LetsGetChecked.<br/>

Qatar Airways on Tuesday announced it is launching Doha-Seattle flights on March 15, the carrier’s second new US route since announcing flights to San Francisco earlier this year. The route is the airline’s seventh new destination since the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic. Qatar also is partnering with Alaska Airlines to offer passengers a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership starting on December 15. “Qatar Airways is committed to enhancing connectivity within the US market, and the launch of flights to Seattle, our second new US destination since the onset of the pandemic, epitomizes this commitment,” said CEO Akbar al Baker. In addition to the new frequent flyer partnership, Qatar Airways and Alaska Airlines are working closely on developing a codeshare agreement ahead of the US carrier joining the Oneworld airline alliance in March. In advance of Alaska joining Oneworld, it and American Airlines recently announced reciprocal upgrade and other passenger benefits. The two carriers also are expected to coordinate feed on flights from Seattle and Los Angeles. Qatar’s entry into Seattle highlights the city’s importance as an emerging Oneworld hub. Emirates’ Dubai-Seattle flights remain suspended and are expected to resume in Q1 next year. <br/>

Qatar Airways group chief Akbar Al Baker predicts more airline failures are in the horizon, as carriers get complacent about recovery prospects. Asked how he would encourage the aerospace supply chain, which has been equally hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, Al Baker says governments should also render support to suppliers, especially to “highly-specialised, technologically-advanced suppliers”. This was because when travel demand returns in the post-pandemic future, “you will need them down the line again when the industry starts ramping up”, he adds. “We are not out into good days again…we will still faced a difficult period going down the line. And that happened… you can see that all the airlines were very excited in June and July. And look what’s happening now. [I] am predicting that there will be some more failures, because people will again get relaxed." Even with the prospect of a vaccination in the near future, Al Baker urges patience, at least “until everybody’s properly vaccinated”. “So people need to be prepared…[they] have to be cautious in order to help their country, their governments, so that we don’t face a severe third wave of the infection. [We] need to continue taking precautions, and the government must…stand with the supply chain in the aviation industry as I think there will be more failures in our…community.” <br/>