Italy is currently reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and is ready to welcome all travelers, as long as they are flying on a Delta COVID-tested flight from the US, Canada, United Arab Emirates or Japan. According to Italy’s health ministry, this policy change went into effect on May 16 and will currently run through July 30
Delta’s nonstop COVID-tested flights
Currently, Delta is offering three nonstop COVID-tested flights to Italy from the US. Americans, regardless of their vaccination status, will be welcome on these flights, effective May 16.
The good news came out on Friday and offers hope to Americans longing for a European vacation. While currently, this only applies to these specific Delta flights to Italy, this could pave the way for other European countries to follow suit with their own border reopening plans.
The Delta nonstop COVID-tested routes to Italy include the following:
- The five-times weekly service between Atlanta (ATL) and Rome (FCO) will increase to daily flights on May 26
- Daily service from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP)
- The three-times weekly service between New York (JFK) and Rome (FCO) to increase to daily from July 1
All these Delta flights are on the 293-seat Airbus A330-300, with 34 Delta One reverse herringbone pods, 40 extra-legroom Comfort+ seats and 219 standard coach seats.
More COVID-tested routes to Italy in summer
Delta is planning to launch three more COVID-tested routes to Italy as the peak summer season starts. Two of these flights are to Venice (VCE). According to the Italian Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, the Italian city will soon be equipped to welcome the special COVID-tested flights. Reportedly Naples airport will also be able to accept COVID-tested flights in the coming weeks and months. However, Delta is not currently planning flights to Naples.
The following are Delta’s three new routes:
- New York (JFK) and Venice (VCE) starting July 2
- Atlanta (ATL) to Venice (VCE) starting August 5
- Boston (BOS) to Rome (FCO) starting August 5
Technically, both the JFK and ATL services are route resumptions. Meanwhile, the Boston service was first announced in October 2019, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Passengers on all these routes will be onboard the 226-seat Boeing 767-300 planes with 26 Thompson Vantage forward-facing Delta One lie-flats, 35 extra-legroom Comfort+ seats, as well as 165 coach seats.
Delta premium economy cabin
On top of this, Delta is currently in the process of retrofitting its 767-300 fleet with a premium economy cabin. It is possible that some of these newly retrofitted planes will be used on the Italian routes later this summer. Delta operates all these flights to Italy in cooperation with Skyteam and its transatlantic joint venture partner, Alitalia.
Alain Bellemare, Delta’s executive vice president of international said in a statement, “Delta was the first US airline to launch quarantine-free service to Italy and our COVID-tested flights have proved a viable means to restart international travel safely.”
“It is encouraging that the Italian government has taken this step forward to reopen the country to leisure travelers from the U.S. on our dedicated protocol flights and further supporting economic recovery from the global pandemic,” he added.
American Airlines announces COVID-tested flights
American Airlines announced in April that it would offer COVID-tested flights to Italy, including a daily flight from New York City (JFK) to Milan (MXP). The airline further announced a three-times-weekly flight from New York City (JFK) to Rome (FCO).
As yet, it is unknown when American Airlines will update its policies to allow any traveler to fly to Italy.
What is involved on COVID-tested flights?
To be able to fly on COVID-tested flights from the US to Italy, all passengers will be required to undergo a series of mandatory tests prior to departure and on arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.
The following is the three-step testing program:
- Passengers must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test up to 72 hours prior to departure.
- They must take a rapid test at the airport prior to boarding.
- Passengers will need to take a second rapid test on arrival in Italy.
As long as all three tests are negative, travelers will be able to enjoy a quarantine-free vacation in Italy. However, they should note that they need to complete a pre-travel COVID-19 test prior to returning home to the US, also regardless of their vaccination status.
Current COVID-19 protocols
As from January 26, 2021, all passengers two years of age and older traveling to the US from a foreign country are required to show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure, prior to being allowed to board. As an alternative, passengers can also produce proof of recovery from the virus within the past 90 days from a licensed healthcare provider.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week the expansion of testing programs for international travel to the US. This allows airlines to accept at-home instant tests, including those with remote supervision.
Summer travel to Europe for Americans
Italy is not the only European destination getting ready to welcome Americans in time for summer. Greece, Croatia and Iceland have also reopened to US travelers. Meanwhile, Delta has announced a new and increased service to all three European destinations within the next few weeks and months.
Those Americans wishing to visit Europe have yet to see any other US airlines adding COVID-tested flights to Italy. It is unsure how the current news will impact the reopening plans of other European destinations.
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